MONITORING OF THE GLUCOSE-CONCENTRATION DURING MICROBIAL FERMENTATIONUSING A NOVEL MASS-PRODUCIBLE BIOSENSOR SUITABLE FOR ONLINE USE

A flow-injection analysis system was combined with a mass producible, disposable biosensor and was used to monitor glucose concentrations du ring several microbial fermentations. The biosensor was manufactured u sing thick film, screen printing technology. Unlike previous devices o f this type, the biosensor was designed to make multiple measurements over extended periods rather than to operate as a ''one-shot'' sensor. One yeast, one lactic acid, and three E. coli bioreactor cultures wer e tested using either defined or complex media. Results from the senso r were compared with a standard spectrophotometric test kit. In sample s containing glucose concentrations within the range of the biosensor and the test kit, good correlations were obtained between the two meth ods. In addition to glucose, microbial growth and pH were recorded. (C ) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.