Bioluminescent Bacteria in Squid Ink (Photololigo Duvaucelii) as a Potential Water Pollution Indicator at Selected Areas in Dasmariñas, Cavite

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Jessica Rae G. Siyang, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, PhilippinesFollow
Remien Grace Balidvid, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, PhilippinesFollow
Aleeva Alexa V. Carrascal, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, PhilippinesFollow
Alyssa Mae V. Libranza, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, PhilippinesFollow
Arisha Jianne R. Dias, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, PhilippinesFollow
Pauline L. Cueno, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute Special Health Senior High SchoolFollow

Document Type

Paper Presentation

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Cueno, Pauline L.

Abstract/Executive Summary

Bioluminescent bacteria are light-emitting microorganisms that are commonly found among marine species. In this study, bioluminescent bacteria were isolated from squid samples and submerged in selected water samples from Ylang-Ylang River and Dasmariñas Zone I River in Dasmariñas, Cavite, to determine whether they can be a potential water pollution indicator based on its bioluminescence intensity. The squid ink extracted from 6 squid samples was streaked on marine agar plates and incubated for 24 hours. The microplates were filled with 0.75 μL bioluminescent bacteria and 0.75 μL of polluted water samples and sterile water per three rows, where the light intensities were measured from 450 nm to 600 nm using a microplate reader. The results showed a significant relationship between the bioluminescence intensity and water pollution. Based on the findings, the Dasmariñas Zone I River had a mean of 0.090 (p<0.05) compared to sterile water with 0.092 (p<0.05), which exhibited a decrease in bioluminescence intensity as the water became more polluted. Meanwhile, the Ylang-Ylang River had a mean of 0.170 (p<0.05) compared to sterile water with 0.134 (p<0.05), which exhibited an increase in bioluminescence intensity as the water became less polluted. Therefore, the bioluminescent bacteria were a possible bioindicator of water pollution. Future research may conduct an analysis on other water parameters to identify their significant relationship to the increase in the bioluminescent bacteria.

Keywords

Bioindicator; Bioluminescent Bacteria; Light Intensity; Squids; Water pollution