Development of a novel, bioluminescence-based, fungal bioassay for toxicity testing

Environ Microbiol. 2002 Jul;4(7):422-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1462-2920.2002.00315.x.

Abstract

Naturally bioluminescent fungi, Armillaria mellea and Mycena citricolor, were used to develop a novel, bioluminescence-based bioassay for toxicity testing. Bioassays were carried out to assess the toxicity of 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-DCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), copper and zinc. The results suggested that 60 min was a suitable exposure time for the bioassay. Light reduction was observed in response to 3,5-DCP, PCP and Cu for both A. mellea and M. citricolor, but to Zn only for A. mellea. Armillaria mellea was significantly less sensitive to 3,5-DCP and PCP than M. citricolor. The EC50 values for A. mellea and M. citricolor were similar to EC50 values for 3,5-DCP, PCP and Cu (but not Zn) of bioluminescence-based bacterial biosensors. They were also similar to EC50 values for Cu and Zn of a bioluminescence-based yeast biosensor. The results highlighted the importance of using both prokaryotic and eukaryotic biosensors. The novel bioassay provides a rapid and sensitive method to assess bioavailability of pollutants as well as a method to determine their toxicity to filamentous fungi. It also expands the range of organisms that can be used for bioluminescence-based toxicity testing by complementing existing biosensors.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agaricales / drug effects
  • Agaricales / growth & development*
  • Biological Assay*
  • Chlorophenols / toxicity*
  • Copper / toxicity
  • Luminescent Measurements*
  • Metals, Heavy / toxicity*
  • Pentachlorophenol / toxicity
  • Toxicity Tests*
  • Zinc / toxicity

Substances

  • Chlorophenols
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Copper
  • Pentachlorophenol
  • 3,5-dichlorophenol
  • Zinc