Bioluminescent bacterial test for acute toxicity: the effect of pH and buffer solutions

The bacterial bioluminescence test for acute toxicity offers a rapid, uncomplicated, and inexpensive means for preliminary biocompatibility evaluation of materials. Sensitivity is equal to in vitro tissue culture and in vivo mouse safety, mouse systemic injection, rabbit intracutaneous injection, and rabbit intramuscular implantation bioassays. Frequently, in vitro biodegradation evaluation of biomaterials involves exposure to solutions made with a variety of buffers at various pH values. This paper describes investigations to determine the effects of three buffers on the performance of the luminescent bacterial assay.