Abstract: A cell-derived assay reagent prepared from cells which have been killed by treatment with an antibiotic selected from the bleomycin-phleomycin family of antibiotics but which retain a signal-generating metabolic activity such as bioluminescence.

Abstract: A cell-derived assay reagent prepared from cells which have been killed by treatment with an antibiotic selected from the bleomycin-phleomycin family of antibiotics but which retain a signal-generating metabolic activity such as bioluminescence.

Abstract: A method for the direct determination of the toxicity of a solid material by direct contact between the solid sample and a luminescent microorganism, consisting of the steps of forming a suspension of a luminescent microorganism in a 0.5% to 6% solution of NaCl or 20% solution of sucrose in distilled water diluent and contacting a sample of the solid to be tested directly with the suspension of luminescent microorganisms. A control including the microorganism in the diluent is also prepared. The combination of microorganism suspension and solid sample is incubated for a sufficient time to allow for the toxicity of the sample to affect the metabolism of the living organism. During or subsequent to the incubation period the combined organism and sample are subjected to a separation step to separate a major portion of the particulate solid from the suspension of microorganisms.