The Panta Germ Test is a method to determine the bacteriological development and the current status of the bacterial community in an aquarium, pond, natural swimming pool, or aquaculture facility. The latest version of the Panta Germ Test now includes two different types of sampling, which together provide a clear picture of both the total bacterial count and the composition of the bacterial community within the aquatic system.
The composition of bacteria in aquatic systems is of particular importance when assessing potential impacts on the health of living organisms. Currently, water quality is usually described only in terms of physical (e.g., density, conductivity, temperature) and chemical parameters (e.g., pH, macro-, micro-, and trace elements). Microbiology and the associated bacteria, however, receive little attention, even though they are highly relevant. In this context, both the total bacterial count in the water and the composition of different bacterial species in the water and in biofilms are crucial. Most bacteria in aquatic facilities are organized in biofilms, which form on all surfaces in contact with water. Depending on their composition, bacterial communities can either be beneficial to the animals kept or, in the case of unfavorable composition or high abundance of certain species, negatively affect the system and pose a health risk to aquatic animals.
The Panta Germ Test allows determination of the total bacterial count in the water, the bacterial community in the water, and the biofilm-associated bacterial community on surfaces. For this purpose, water from the system being tested is passed through a filter, where the bacteria accumulate. This sampling determines both the total bacterial count and the bacterial community in the water. By swabbing the biofilm from a submerged surface using the provided cotton swab, the biofilm community can also be sampled. Both the filter containing the filtered water and the swab with the collected biofilm are then sent back to us. In our laboratory, both samples are processed and analyzed using state-of-the-art molecular biological methods. This enables precise determination of the total bacterial count as well as the composition of the bacterial community in water and biofilm. The results can then be used to assess the diversity of bacterial species in the aquatic system.
