The luminescent bacteria test is used to determine the acute bacterial toxicity of wastewater in accordance with DIN EN ISO 11348-1 /11348-2 2009-05. The inhibition of the light emission of the marine luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri(bioluminescence) is measured.
The luminescent bacteria are exposed to the test material under defined conditions in an incubator. Disturbances in cell metabolism lead directly to reduced light emission in Vibrio fischeri and can also be measured photometrically shortly after the start of exposure. After exposing the test organisms for 15 and/or 30 minutes, the dilution level at which an inhibition effect of luminescence of less than 20% can be measured is determined. This is considered a non-toxic dilution stage.
The luminescent bacteria test is used as a screening test for monitoring wastewater treatment plant effluents.
