VIT® PAO/GAO

VIT® technology enables the targeted detection of individual microorganisms at population, genus or species level. The use of highly specific, rRNA-based gene probes ensures clear identification of the target organism directly in the sample.

The technology enables direct quantification of the target organisms in the sample. With the VIT® Vision software, the populations of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) and their competitors, the glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAO), can be recorded and reliably tracked over time. In this way, even minor shifts in the relationship between PAO and GAO become visible even before changes in the effluent values become apparent.

A stable balance in favor of the PAO is crucial for efficient biological phosphorus elimination. Regular monitoring allows unfavorable process conditions - such as an insufficient oxygen supply or inadequate anoxia times - to be detected at an early stage and adjusted in a targeted manner. In this way, the natural potential of biological phosphate elimination can be optimally exploited and the amount of chemicals required for phosphate precipitation can be significantly reduced. The result: lower operating costs, greater process stability and a sustainable reduction in environmental impact.

The analysis is carried out without complex sample purification or enrichment: the microorganisms are hybridized directly in activated sludge or other environmental samples and then evaluated microscopically. This preserves the natural matrix - a major advantage over methods based on cell isolation or DNA extraction.

The VIT® gene probes hybridize only with intact, metabolically active cells, as only these have sufficient amounts of ribosomal RNA. Thus, only living polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) and glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAO) are detected, while dead or inactive cells are excluded.

In contrast, PCR only detects DNA, regardless of whether the cell is alive or dead. This means that dead cells can also be detected in PCR analyses, which can lead to a considerable overestimation of the actual biological activity - particularly problematic in processes such as nitrification, where the functional potential is crucial.

Depending on the setup, it only takes a few hours from sample extraction to analysis. The hybridization is standardized, the analysis is performed by fluorescence microscopy and can also be carried out on site in routine environments. The evaluation and subsequent quantification can be carried out easily with the help of the VIT® Vision software.

The test kits are user-friendly and can be integrated into existing laboratory procedures with minimal training. Detection is carried out using fluorescence microscopy and does not require complex equipment or special software solutions. This makes the method particularly robust and user-independent.