Effect of metal concentration on growth and luminescence of luminous bacteria strains isolated from golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica

Luminescence in bacteria is catalyzed by luciferase. When these microorganisms are exposed to toxic substances, the bioluminescent enzyme system can be inhibited. The objective of this study was analyze potential that offer as native bioindicators coastal marine pollution. dynamics luminescence intensity visual classification and effect metal concentration on growth 25 strains luminescent bacteria, isolated during 2016 from seawater samples gulf Nicoya, Costa Rica, evaluated disk diffusion method. sensitivity each strain different concentrations (0.1, 0.5 1 mg mL-1) Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb Zn determined its phenotype. In susceptible strains, a range less than inhibitory affected expression luminescence. Strains with intense defined zones inhibition were considered have greater for monitoring environmental toxicity. More studies required determine minimum inhibit respect tested metals other potentially substances ecosystems Rica.