Open AccessLuminometric measurement of population activity of genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens in the soil
Author(s) -
Meikle Audrey,
Killham K.,
Prosser J.I.,
Glover L.A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1992.tb05570.x
Subject(s) - pseudomonas fluorescens , bioluminescence , microcosm , biology , incubation , pseudomonas , pseudomonadaceae , microbiology and biotechnology , microorganism , population , pseudomonadales , genetically modified organism , chemistry , biochemistry , bacteria , gene , genetics , ecology , sociology , demography
Genetically modified cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens , chromosomally marked with genes for bioluminescence, were inoculated into sterile soil microcosms. During incubation for 90 days, viable cell concentration did not change significantly but light output, measured by luminometry, decreased, indicating reduced metabolic activity due to lack of substrates. Amendment with nutrients resulted in parallel increases in both luminescence and dehydrogenase activity. Luminometry therefore enables rapid monitoring of the activity of populations of luminescence‐marked microbial inocula in the soil, with greater sensitivity and selectivity than traditional techniques.