Selective assay for heavy metal toxicity using a fluorogenic substrate

Abstract

Chromogenic substrates have been generally used in enzymatic assays for the specific determination of heavy metal toxicity. A toxicity assay based on the specific inhibition of β‐galactosidase by heavy metals and using a fluorogenic substrate was evaluated for its sensitivity to heavy metals and organic toxicants. The toxicity assay, FluoroMetPLATE, was specific for heavy metals and was more sensitive than the widely used Microtox assay. Except for lead, our assay displayed sensitivity similar to that of the 48‐h acute Ceriodaphnia dubia assay. Monitoring of industrial samples showed that the FluoroMetPLATE assay gave similar results as the daphnid toxicity assay for 22 of 29 samples. For the remaining samples, for which there was no agreement between the two tests, it was found that the toxicity was mostly due to organic toxicants, confirming the specificity of FluoroMetPLATE for heavy metal toxicity.

Assessing aquatic ecosystems using pore waters and sediment chemistry

“…This algae is unaffected by high ammonia concentrations and therefore is useful in TIE studies where bioassays using ammonia sensitive bioassays (e.g., sea urchin fertilization and embryological development) are used simultaneously. Whiteman et al (1996) (Jung et al 1996). The liquid assay was found to be specific for metals, more sensitive than Microtox ® , and similar to Ceriodaphnia dubia (48 hr acute assay) with the exception of Pb.…”

Phytotoxicities of Selected Chemicals and Industrial Effluents to Nitellopsis obtusa Cells, Assessed by Using a Rapid Electrophysiological Charophyte Test

“…Comparison of a 45-minute membrane response of N. obtusa cells with a 20-minute respiratory rate inhibition of bacterial blend (Polytox [9]), and 15-minute inhibition of bioluminescence of Vibrio fischeri (formerly known as Photobacterium phosphoreum; Microtox [9,10]) shows quite similar sensitivities toward the tested I).…”

Characterization of persistent-bioaccumulative-toxic (PBTs) substances in hazardous waste: Integration of chemical analysis andin vitrofish cells response

“…A concentration-dependent inhibition on the activity of the enzymegalactoside, has been proved for metals (Jung et al 1996;Apartin and Ronco 2001), complex mixtures (Babin et al 2001), and antimicrobials (Babin et al 2005. In our study, the toxic -galactosidase inhibition response (A, 2, and 6 samples) was always observed at concentrations producing dramatic effects on cell viability, and well correlated to the NR assay.…”