Biomass monitoring by use of a continuous on-line optical sensor

An optical sensor for on-line biomass monitoring was developed and implemen ted with a how-through cell and a continuous sampling line to monitor cell concentrations in solutions of water and diluted molasses. Calibration curv es, errors curve, how rate effects and measurements comparing obtained valu es using the optical sensor and dry cell weight method were analysed. The c alibration curves using cell cultures in tap water and molasses present an exponential profile in the range 5-40 g cell 1(-1) corresponding to 0-250 m V output signal. The output signal for biomass free molasses solutions was used for reference and compensation effects. A simple correlation for molas ses compensation was determined and good reproducibility was obtained betwe en experimental and calculated values for a wide range of biomass-molasses- water solutions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.