Microbiological assay using bioluminescent organism

Patent · Mon Dec 21 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6636911

Stiffey, A V

This invention relates to testing processes for toxicity involving microorganisms and, more particularly, to testing processes for toxicity involving bioluminescent organisms. The present known method of testing oil-well drilling fluids for toxicity employs the mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia) as the assay organism. The shrimp are difficult to raise and handle as laboratory assay organisms. This method is labor-intensive, because it requires a assay time of about 96 hours. Summary of the Invention: A microbiological assay in which the assay organism is the dinoflagellate, Pyrocystis lunula. A sample of a substance to be assayed is added to known numbers of the bioluminescent dinoflagellate and the mixture is agitated to subject the organisms to a shear stress causing them to emit light. The amount of light emitted is measured and compared with the amount of light emitted by a known non-toxic control mixture to determine if there is diminution or non-diminution of light emitted by the sample under test which is an indication of the presence or absence of toxicity, respectively. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is the provision of an improved method of testing substances for toxicity. A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved method of testing oil-well drilling fluids for toxicity using bioluminescent dinoflagellate (Pyrocystis lunula).

• Research Organization: Department of the Navy, Washington, DC (USA)
• Assignee: Department of the Navy, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 6636911
• Resource Relation: Other Information: This Government-owned invention available for U.S. licensing and, possibly, for foreign licensing. Copy of application available NTIS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
BIOASSAY
DRILLING FLUIDS
TOXICITY
OIL WELLS
SHRIMP
BIOLUMINESCENCE
CONTROL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INVENTIONS
LABORATORIES
MIXTURES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
CRUSTACEANS
DECAPODS
DISPERSIONS
FLUIDS
INVERTEBRATES
LUMINESCENCE
MATERIALS
WELLS
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects