| 摘要 |
A method and detector for testing a fluid for the presence of substances toxic to selected bacteria is disclosed. The bacteria are immobilised by encapsulation in a polyvinyl alcohol medium, placed in the detector and exposed to the fluid. The effects of the fluid on one or more actions of the bacteria are then assessed, and this information used to determine the presence or absence of toxic substances in the fluid. Various bacteria types can be used, e.g. nitrifying, denitrifying and carbon-degrading bacteria. Encapsulation allows a high number of specific bacteria to be quickly captured and retained within the medium, giving detectors which have a standard reaction and which are effective and have good response times. Polyvinyl alcohol as a medium gives advantages of non toxicity to a range of bacteria, resistance to breaking up and wide availability.
|
