ANTIBODY-SENSITIZED LATEX FOR DENITRIFYING BACTERIA AND METHOD OF DETECTING THE BACTERIA

摘要

An antibody-sensitized latex for use in detecting conveniently denitrifying bacteria present in activated sludge, water or soil, and a method of detecting the bacteria by using the latex. The latex is prepared by the adsorption of an antibody specific for denitrifying bacteria onto latex particles having a specific gravity of about 1.5g/cc or a mean diameter of about 1.0 mu m. The invention enables the detection and determination of denitrifying bacteria, which have heretofore required a long period of time and technical expertism, to be conducted readily and conveniently. Further it is possible to identify active target microorganisms present in activated sludge, water or soil and to attain a rapid and appropriate viable count by using one or more antibodies specific for denitrifying bacteria.