DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLUMINESCENT BIOINDICATORS FOR ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTION

The influence of several suites of pollutants (metallic salts, quinone s, and phenols) on bacterial bioluminescence in vivo and in vitro (fiv e test systems) was investigated. The sensitivity of bioluminescence t o the different pollutants was evaluated, and inhibition constants wer e measured. The data obtained were shown to correlate with the physica l and chemical characteristics of the substances and the structure of the bioluminescent systems. It has been found that three bioluminescen t tests (water-soluble enzyme systems, immobilized enzyme systems, and bioluminescent bacteria) show higher sensitivity to pollutants and co ver all types of widespread contamination. These tests were chosen as a set of bioluminescent assays for the detection of pollutants. (C) 19 98 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.