Simultaneous monitoring of pH, CO2 and O2 using an optical imaging fiber

The interdependence of pH, CO₂ and O₂ during chemical and biochemical processes has driven the need to monitor them simultaneously, continuously and in situ, in order to exert better control over such reactions. We present the fabrication and performance of a multi-analyte imaging fiber sensor that allows pH, CO₂ and O₂ to be monitored simultaneously with rapid response. Sensing elements are fabricated by covalently immobilizing fluorescent indicators within polymer matrices via photopolymerization, resulting in the formation of distinct regions of analyte-sensitive polymer at the fiber's distal end. The multianalyte sensor's working range is 0%–100% for O₂ and 0%–10% for CO₂ in the pH range 5.5–7.5. The sensor was used to monitor the pH, CO₂ and O₂ changes during a beer fermentation.