Fluorescent Psuedomonads Lab BART™ Biodetector

Pseudomonad bacteria are often present in waters that contain oxygen and are rich in organic pollutants (e.g., gasoline, jet fuel, solvents).   The presence of pseudomonad bacteria may indicate that aerobic biodegradation is occurring and biofouling may also be happening within the system being tested. Some pseudomonad bacteria that produce the fluorescent pigments (pigments that glow in ultraviolet light) may be a hygiene risk. The faster that clouding and fluorescence happens, the more aggressive are the pseudomonad bacteria.

Pseudomonad bacteria can cause a range of problems in water, including slime formations, turbidity, taste and odor, corrosion, biodegradatrion, and hygiene risks. Pseudomonad bacteria produce distinctive odors such as “fishy” or “kerosene-like” odors. In recreational waters (such as swimming pools, hot tubs, restricted natural bathing sites), the presence of aggressive fluorescent pseudomonads can cause skin, eye, ear, and urinary tract infections.

The BART tester requires no microscope, no laboratory, no incubator! The test is done at room temperature in your office or treatment room, on a desk, shelf, or in a cupboard and is viewed daily. Different microorganisms like to grow at various heights in a column of water to which nutrients have been added. BART testers contain nutrients in the base of the column and a ball. The ball restricts the amount of oxygen entering the water column so that aerobic organisms grow around the ball and anerobic organisms grow deep down in the water column. By changing the nutrients in the base of the column different organisms can be encouraged to grow. BART determines presence and activity levels.

Full instructions for the use of BART biodetectors are included with your purchase. Click here for the general User Manual

Each individual test consists of: Test vial with media and BART ball. One color chart is included in each box of 15 testers.


There are two versions of BART Testers; Field and Lab. We carry Both. The Lab BARTs are designed for laboratories and have only the inner tube that contains the media and ball. Lab BARTs are individually packaged in aluminum foil pouches and have a 4 year shelf.