Bacteria-based sensor for monitoring glycerol

A new bacteria-based sensor for determination of glycerol was reported, in which mutant bacteria induced from the strain of Bacillus subtilis AS1.398 was used as a biocatalyst. The calibration graph of the proposed sensor was linear in the range of 1-10% (w/v) glycerol and the correlation coefficien t was 0.9946. Lifetime of the sensor was more than two weeks. There was no significant interference from substances commonly coexisting in the ferment ation broth except acetic acid. The sensor would be useful for monitoring g lycerol during fermentation due to its linearity, selectivity, and lifetime . The bacteria could be used as a catalytic enzyme membrane which can repro duce itself in proper matrix.