Assessment of PFAS toxicity using lux-marked bioluminescent Pseudomonas biosensors.

Lux-marked Pseudomonas putida F1 Tn5 luxCDABE shows significant, compound- and concentration-dependent inhibition of peak bioluminescence after PFOA and PFNA exposure.

• Why it matters: PFAS are persistent contaminants, but rapid assays for sublethal biological effects are limited, creating a need for sensitive whole-cell screening methods.
• What they did: The study tested two luxCDABE strains as biosensors, first confirming fluoride tolerance up to 1,000 mg L-1, then measuring growth and bioluminescence in M9 minimal medium after PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS exposure.
• The result: Bioluminescence detected PFAS-induced metabolic stress more clearly than conventional growth assays, with P. putida F1 Tn5 luxCDABE strongly inhibited by PFOA/PFNA and P. putida 12708 Tn5 luxCDABE showing variable responses including increased luminescence after PFOA and inhibition at higher concentrations.

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