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Electrooptical monitoring of cell polarizability and cell size in aerobic Escherichia coli batch cultivations

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

The time-dependent development of cell polarizability and length in Escherichia coli batch fermentations were observed at-line with electrooptical measurements. While using a measurement system with fully automated sample preparation, the development of these properties can be observed with a comparable high frequency (six measurements per hour). The polarizability as well as the mean cell length both increase soon after inoculation and then decline from the growth phase on until the stationary phase is reached. Based on the dynamic behavior of polarizability, the growth phase can be divided into four distinct stages. Changes in the cultivation temperature or the pre-cultivation conditions lead to alterations in the development of the polarizability and mean cell length. Based on the frequency disperse of polarizability measured at four different frequencies from 210 to 2,100 kHz, a prediction model is established that is based on the relation of the polarizability to the metabolic activity. Applying multi-linear partial least squares methods (N-PLS), the model is able to predict the specific acetate synthesis and uptake with a root mean square error of prediction of 0.19 (6% of the mean). The method represents a tool for characterization of different stages with respect to microbial metabolic activity and the energy balance during batch cultivations.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to express our thanks to Peter Neubauer for fruitful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Beuth University of Applied Sciences, Seestrasse 64, 13347, Berlin, Germany

    Peter Götz

  2. Laboratory of Bioprocess Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Ackerstrasse 71-76, ACK 24, 13355, Berlin, Germany

    Stefan Junne

  3. Department of Process Dynamics and Operation, Institute of Process Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, KWT 9, 10623, Berlin, Germany

    M. Nicolas Cruz-Bournazou

  4. Biotronix GmbH, Neuendorfstrasse 24a, 16761, Hennigsdorf, Germany

    Alexander Angersbach

Authors
  1. Stefan Junne
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  2. M. Nicolas Cruz-Bournazou
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  3. Alexander Angersbach
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  4. Peter Götz
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Correspondence to Peter Götz.

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Junne, S., Nicolas Cruz-Bournazou, M., Angersbach, A. et al. Electrooptical monitoring of cell polarizability and cell size in aerobic Escherichia coli batch cultivations. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 37, 935–942 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-010-0742-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-010-0742-5

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