Abstract
Two on-line probes for biomass measurement in bioreactor cultivations were evaluated. One probe is based on near infrared (NIR) light absorption and the other on dielectric spectroscopy. The probes were used to monitor biomass production in cultivations of several different microorganisms. Differences in NIR probe response compared to off-line measurement methods revealed that the most significant factor affecting the response was cell shape. The NIR light absorption method is more developed and reliable for on-line in situ biomass estimation than dielectric spectroscopy. The NIR light absorption method is, however, of no significant use, when the cultivation medium is not clear, and especially in processes using adsorbents or solid matrix for the microorganism to grow on. The possibilities offered by dielectric spectroscopy are impressive, but the on-line probe technology needs to be improved.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Prof. Yrjö Mälkki, D.Sc. Antti Nyyssölä, M.Sc. Johanna Karimäki, M.Sc. Anne Pihlajamäki and M.Sc. Miia Helanto for allowing us to use some of their project data in constructing this manuscript.
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Kiviharju, K., Salonen, K., Moilanen, U. et al. On-line biomass measurements in bioreactor cultivations: comparison study of two on-line probes. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 34, 561–566 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-007-0233-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-007-0233-5