Interlaboratory Precision of Acute Toxicity Tests Using Reference Toxicant Formaldehyde
Abstract
Acute toxicity test, which takes place among rapid toxicity tests and is conducted through bioluminescent bacteria, has been included in many countries' standards thanks to its test duration, sample volume, cost-efficiency and result sensitivity. Sensitivity of Microtox® Reagent, being one of the commercial kits of bioluminescent bacteria, can be detected via reference toxicants (control). Various reference toxicants (control) are recommended by the manufacturer company to be used in Microtox® acute toxicity test. This study aims to use formaldehyde as alternative reference toxicant (control) in Microtox® acute toxicity test. Acute toxicity of formaldehyde, according to Vibrio fischeri, was investigated on 5, 15 and 30 minutes of inhibition periods. EC50 values were found as 2,30±0,60 mg/l; 2,14±0,63 mg/l and 2,17±0,70 mg/l by inhibition periods, respectively. Standard deviation of EC50 values found for each sample group differed between 0,01-0,47. According to mean acute toxicity results of all formaldehyde inhibition periods, 0,10 unit deviation was found in 5 minutes of results. For 15 and 30 minutes of inhibition periods, mean value of unit deviation was found as 0,06 and 0,04 which showed closer values to each other and the mean value. The investigated toxicants show the performance of pipetting sensitivity of reagent, analyzer and test operator.
Keywords
Acute toxicity,Vibrio fischeri,Microtox®,reference toxicant,formaldehyde
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