Method and device for detecting photosynthetic inhibition

Abstract

This invention relates to systems and test strips for detecting the photosynthesis-inhibitory activity of substances by providing cells or cell parts with an intact photosystem, introducing the cells or cell parts into a planar layer, applying the test substance to the planar layer or into the planar layer, excitation of the luminescence of the cells or cell parts in the planar layer by an excitation light source, measuring the luminescence of the cells or the cell parts in the planar layer by means of a detector, and associating the detector signal with the degree of photosynthesis inhibition.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A system for detecting the photosynthesis-inhibitory activity of substances, comprising
 a planar layer with cells or cell parts with an intact photosystem,   means for applying the test substance to the planar layer or into the planar layer,   an excitation light source for exciting the luminescence of the cells or the cell parts in the planar layer,   a detector for measuring the luminescence of the cells or cell parts in the planar layer,   evaluation means for associating the detector signal with the degree of photosynthetic inhibition.   
   
   
       18 . A system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the means for applying the test substance to the planar layer or into the planar layer or to the support of the planar layer is a syringe system, a pin tool or a suitable pressure stamp or a jet system. 
   
   
       19 . A system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the detector employed is, for example, a Vidicon system, a CCD camera, a scanner, a phosphorimager or a photographic film. 
   
   
       20 . A system as claimed in  17 , wherein the evaluation is carried out by imaging or visually. 
   
   
       21 . A system as claimed in  17 , wherein support for the planar layer is a thin-layer chromatography plate or an electrophoresis layer with substance zones deposited thereon. 
   
   
       22 . A test strip or sensor chip for detecting the photosynthesis-inhibitory activity of substances comprising a planar layer with cells or cell parts of an intact photosystem, with which, after application of the test substance to the test strip or sensor chip, after subsequent excitation of the luminescence of the cells or the cell parts in the planar layer by an excitation light source, and after measuring the luminescence of the cells or cell parts in the planar layer by means of a detector, the degree of photosynthesis inhibition of the test substance can be determined on the basis of the detector signal. 
   
   
       23 . A test strip or sensor chip as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the planar layer of the test strip or sensor chip consists of green algae in agarose or acrylate gel or in a viscous solution. 
   
   
       24 . A test strip or sensor chip as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the cells are avital cells in which the photosynthesis system II remains intact.