Method for detection of the presence of acidophilic microorganisms in aqueous samples, such as acid mine drainages or acid rock drainages, bioleaching solutions or solutions from heap leaching; or in solid samples, such as minerals or concentrates subjected to bioleaching or the like

摘要

The object of the present invention is to provide a rapid method for detection of the presence of acidophilic microorganisms in aqueous samples, such as acid mine drainages or acid rock drainages, bioleaching solutions or solutions from heap leaching; or in solid samples, such as minerals or concentrates subjected to bioleaching or the like. The method comprises the following steps: a) concentrating acidophilic microorganisms from a given volume of aqueous sample or from a suspension of microorganisms extracted from a solid sample; b) removing the agents that are inhibitory for the bioluminiscence reaction by washing the previously concentrated acidophilic microorganisms by means of one or more treatments with aqueous washing agents; and c) extracting adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) from the acidophilic microorganisms and measuring the light generated by such ATP by means of any bioluminiscence detection system. In a further aspect, the invention provides a kit for detection of the presence of acidophilic microorganisms that uses the above mentioned method.