A new biological test of water toxicity–yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae conductometric test

• We proposed a new biological toxicity test with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
• The test is based of monitoring of specific conductivity changes of yeast suspension.
• S. cerevisiae conductometric test is suitable for rapid detection of water toxicity.

This new biological test of water toxicity is based on monitoring of specific conductivity changes of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspension as a result of yeast fermentation activity inhibition in toxic conditions. The test was verified on ten substances with various mechanisms of toxic effect and the results were compared with two standard toxicity tests based on Daphnia magna mobility inhibition (EN ISO 6341) and Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition (EN ISO 11348-2) and with the results of the S. cerevisiae lethal test ( Rumlova and Dolezalova, 2012). The new biological test – S. cerevisiae conductometric test – is an express method developed primarily for field conditions. It is applicable in case of need of immediate information about water toxicity. Fast completion is an advantage of this test (time necessary for test completion is about 60 min), the test is simple and the test organism – dried instant yeast – belongs among its biggest advantages because of its long-term storage life and broad availability.