Application of flow-injection analysis in the on-line monitoring of sugars,lactic acid,protein and biomass during lactic acid fermentations

A laboratory system for the on-line monitoring of important lactic acid fermentation variables is described. The system contains flow-injection analysers for glucose, lactose, galactose, lactate and protein and a continuous-flow analyser for the biomass concentration. The sugar and lactate analysers are based on enzymatic reactions involving oxidases followed by chemiluminescence detection of the hydrogen peroxide formed. The protein analyser is based on the biuret reaction. The system has been used to monitor many fermentation experiments, and some results are presented as examples.     

A sequential injection system for indirect spectrophotometric determination of lactic acid in yogurt and fermented mash samples

A suitable non-enzymatic method is presented as an alternative to the lactic acid determination in yogurt and fermented mash samples. The oxidative conversion of lactic acid by Ce⁴⁺ to CO₂ was performed in a sequential injection system with a heating coil set at 45 °C. A gas diffusion unit was coupled to the flow system for promoting the permeation of CO₂, which was collected into a bromothymol blue solution (pH 8.4), used as indicator solution for the spectrophotometric determination (619 nm). Simplicity in operation, low reagent consumption, low cost and ruggedness are some remarkable characteristics of the proposed system. Base line drift was < 0.005 h^− 1. A linear range from 20.0 to 100.0 mg L^− 1 lactic acid was obtained (r² = 0.998), and the detection and quantification limits were estimated as 0.158 mg L^− 1 and 1.6 mg L^− 1, respectively. The sampling rate was 22 h^− 1, with a consumption of 0.04 g Ce⁴⁺ per determination. Interferences of matrix components were not detected. Samples of yogurt and sugar cane fermented mash products were analyzed, and no significant difference at 95% confidence level was observed when comparing the proposed method with HPLC analysis.     

Development of monolithic enzymatic reactors in glass microchips for the quantitative determination of enzyme substrates using the example of glucose determination via immobilized glucose oxidase

A one-step procedure for the immobilization of glucose oxidase in fused-silica capillaries and in glass microchips was developed based on enzyme entrapment in a polyacrylamide-based monolithic column. The inner capillary surface was silanized with gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (gamma-MAPS) to allow covalent binding of the gel to the surface. The composition of the polymer was optimized to prevent the formation of bubbles, allow liquid transportation by electroosmotic flow and to maintain the enzymatic activity. These requirements resulted in the addition of polyethylene glycol and poly(acrylic acid) to the acrylamide mixture. The gel containing the enzyme was formed in situ in the capillaries, respectively, in one channel of the microchip. In the microchip, it was limited to the sample injection channel by accordingly controlled silanization of the inner capillary surface. Glucose was detected via the amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide. A linear correlation between signals and glucose concentration was observed from 0.05 to 1.1 mM glucose with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The enzymatic monolithic microreactor showed no loss of activity during 8 h of continuous use and during storage in the running buffer at 4 degrees C for about 2 months. Interferents, such as ascorbic acid, were separated from the analyte electrophoretically, so that glucose could be quantified in diluted juices.     

Immobilization enzyme fluorescence capillary analysis for determination of lactic acid

A new method for the determination of lactic acid based on the immobilization enzyme fluorescence capillary analysis (IE-FCA) was proposed. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was immobilized on inner surface of a capillary with glutaraldehyde, and an immobilized enzyme lactate capillary bioreactor (IE-LCBR) was formed for the determination of lactic acid. After nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is mixed with lactic acid solution, it was sucked into the IE-LCBR and was detected at λ_ex 353 nm/λ_em 466 nm. Optimized conditions are as follows: the temperature is 38 °C; the reaction time is 15 min; the concentrations of Tris buffer (pH 8.8) and NAD⁺ are 0.1 mol L⁻¹ and 4 mmol L⁻¹, respectively; the concentration of LDH used for immobilization is 15 kU L⁻¹. The concentration of lactic acid is directly proportional to the fluorescence intensity measured from 0.50 to 2.0 mmol L⁻¹; and the analytical recovery of added lactic acid was 99–105%. The minimum detection limit of the method is 0.40 mmol L⁻¹ and sensitivity of the IE-CBR is 4.6 F mmol⁻¹ L⁻¹ lactate. Its relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) is ≤2.0%. This IE-FCA method was employed for determination of lactate in milk drink.     

Continuous production of lactic acid from glucose and lactose in a cell-recycle reactor

Growth and lactic acid production ofLactobacillus delbreuckii were compared using glucose and lactose as carbon sources. A continuous-flow stirred-tank fermenter was coupled with a cross-flow filtration unit to permit operation at high-cell concentrations. At steady state, yeast extract requirements for lactic-acid production were lower when glucose was used as a substrate than with lactose fermentation. Once steady state was obtained, with glucose feed, it was possible to lower the yeast extract concentration without affecting biomass concentration and lactic acid production. The lacticacid concentration that inhibited cell growth and lactic acid production was found to depend on the choice of a carbon substrate.     

Thin-film biosensor for the measurement of glucose concentration in human serum and urine

Solid-state technology and pulse electroplating were used to fabricate a glucose biosensor based on hydrogen peroxide detection. This glucose biosensor was composed of thin-film electrodes, and enzyme-immobilized and deactivated enzyme-immobilized membranes. The electrodes were fabricated by metallic film deposition. Cr and Ni adhesive layers were applied successively by vapour deposition on the thermally oxidized SiO₂ isolating layer on a silicon substrate, and then the two metallic layers were patterned by the photolithographic method. Subsequently, a 1 μm thick Au layer was applied by means of pulse electroplating, forming two anodes and one common cathode in each sensor chip. On one anode, glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized by cross-linking with bovin serum albumin and glutaraldehyde. A deactivated GOD-immobilized membrane was formed on the other anode, which worked as a reference working electrode. A novel differential measurement system was used to treat the output signals of the two anodes by adjusting the initial position of the response curves, compensating amplifications of the individual I—V converters and treating the output signals with a subtraction circuit in order to decrease measurement error. The test results showed that the signal of ascorbic acid up to 4.5 mmol 1⁻¹ or uric acid up to 1.2 mmol 1⁻¹ was successfully cancelled. Glucose concentrations in the range 0.02–4.0 mmol/1 could be detected and an excellent linear response was obtained in the low concentration range. The correlation coefficient between the result of the enzyme electrode and the clinically enzymatic method for glucose measurement in human serum was 0.9912. Correlated results between the biosensor method and the routine clinical method for the measurement of glucose concentration in urine were obtained. The lifetime of the enzyme electrode was over 2 months.     

Enzyme based assays in a sequential injection format: a review

Sequential injection analysis systems have been extensively exploited in the last decades for the implementation of enzyme based assays aiming the evaluation of enzyme activity or the determination of specific analytes. The most prominent aspects of the automation of enzymatic assays in these systems are discussed in this review. Special attention is devoted to the mode of enzyme manipulation in homogeneous or heterogeneous media and to the comparison with batch and flow injection enzyme methodologies. The possibility of implementing strategies for the enhancement of selectivity in specific determinations is also addressed. The more recent trends in this field are discussed focusing mainly on the miniaturization resorting to the lab-on valve platform as well as on the bead injection concept.     

微型HPLC-固定化酶柱后反应器-电化学检测法测定血清和全血中的葡萄糖

提出了用Ni(Ⅱ)处理10μm强酸型阳离子交换剂Partisil-10SCX再吸附葡萄糖氧化酶以制备固定化酶的新方法。酶的吸附和固定化酶的活性较一般的物理吸附有明显的改善。由此制得的固定化酶柱后反应器接入微型高效液相色谱-电化学检测体系进行了血清和全血中葡萄糖含量的测定,并实现了葡萄糖和尿酸的同时检测。     

Peroxidase based biosensors for the selective determination of D,L-lactic acid and L-malic acid in wines

A novel bioelectrochemical method for the direct determination of D(−) L(+) lactic acid and of L(−) malic acid in wines is presented. Multienzymatic biosensors were realized for the selective determination of the three analytes: D(−) and L(+) lactic acid were measured by a trienzymatic biosensor based on the catalytic activities of the enzymes L(+) lactate oxidase (LOD), D(−) lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP); L(−) malic acid was measured by a bienzymatic electrode, realized by coupling the enzymes L(−) malic dehydrogenase (L-MDH) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In both cases the enzymes were immobilized on an oxygen selective Clark electrode.The simultaneous determination of the two organic acids can be accomplished either in batch or in a flow injection analysis apparatus using the same biosensors as detectors. The analytical performance of the method, tested in standard aqueous solutions and on real samples of wines, showing high repeatability, short response times and reduced cost of analysis, suggest that the experimental approach here described could be followed to monitor the progress of malolactic fermentation.     

Enzyme-based microtiter plate assay for γ-aminobutyric acid: Application to the screening of γ-aminobutyric acid-producing lactic acid bacteria

An enzyme-based microtiter plate assay for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was developed. GABA was quantified using γ-aminobutyrate glutamate aminotransferase and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase in the presence of NADP⁺ and -ketoglutarate. The NADPH produced by the series of enzymatic reactions was measured spectrophotometrically at 340 nm. A linear relationship between absorbance and the concentration of GABA was obtained in the ranges from 5.0 × 10⁻⁴ to 1.0 × 10⁻² M. The relative standard deviation for 10 successive measurements was 0.9% at the 10 mM GABA level. This analytical method was applied to the screening of GABA-producing lactic acid bacteria in de Man–Rogosa–Sharpe (MRS) medium. The proposed method enables one to assay 96 samples for an hour without the pre-treatment of samples. The method is by far superior to the traditional HPLC method from the point of view of rapidity and simplicity.     

Electrosynthesis of lactic acid and 2,3-dimethyltartaric acid from pyruvic acid on lead cathode in aqueous medium

Lactic and 2,3-dimethyltartaric acids have been synthesized from pyruvic acid by changing the nature of the supporting electrolyte and the electrode potential of lead cathode.     

Amperometric enzyme electrode for the determination of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum

Glutamate oxidase (E.C. 1.4.3.7) was immobilized at a platinized activated carbon electrode and the enzyme electrodes were used for the amperometric determination of L-glutamate in a stirred aqueous solution by the electrochemical detection of enzymically produced hydrogen peroxide at + 320 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. A linear calibration graph was obtained between 2 μM and 2 mM with a steady-state response time of 1 min. The glutamate oxidase electrode was subsequently applied to the measurement of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (E.C. 2.6.1.1) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (E.C. 2.6.1.2) in serum. The performance of the electrode was compared with that of techniques used in the hospital diagnostic laboratory. The responses of the enzyme electrode to AST and ALT activities were linear over the clinically relevant range (5-500 U l ^?1), and correlated well (r=0.99) with the methods used for routine clinical analysis.     

Simultaneous determination of glucose and sucrose by a glucose-sensing enzyme electrode combined with an invertase-attached cell

Glucose and sucrose are simultaneously determined by using a glucose-sensing enzyme electrode combined with a cell that contains immobilized invertase. The electrode current changes linearly with time for several minutes from ca. 1 min after the addition of a glucose-sucrose mixture. The concentration of sucrose (60 μM-6 mM) is determined from the rate of current change in the linear region, and that of glucose (5 μM-1 mM) is determined by extrapolating the straight current-time line to t=0.45 min and by measuring the intercept on the vertical (current) axis at t=0.45 min. The relative standard deviations are 1.8% for glucose and 3.7% for sucrose (n=10). More than 20 food samples can be analysed in 1 h.     

Studies on biodegradability of copolymers of lactic acid, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol

The copolymers were synthesized by the condensation of lactic acid, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. Synthesized copolymers were characterized for various properties such as acid value, hydroxyl value and number average molecular weight, etc. The copolymers were analyzed by FTIR. Copolymers were biodegraded by different fungal species such as Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Alternaria sp. and Rhizopus sp., etc. The extent of biodegradation was examined by weight loss and scanning electron microscopy. Biodegradation of copolymer with greater amount of lactic acid was faster than the biodegradation of copolymer with lesser amount of lactic acid.     

Biotinylated alginate immobilization matrix in the construction of an amperometric biosensor: application for the determination of glucose

The use of biotinylated alginate as an immobilization matrix of enzymes on the surface of the amperometric transducer is described herein. The model used is that of the well-established glucose detection. Several types of immobilization protocols were tested. In the exception of one protocol, biotin labeled glucose oxidase was shown to first require conjugation with avidin, before its immobilization onto a biotin-alginate gel matrix. The response of the biosensors to incremental additions of glucose, was measured by potentiostating the modified electrodes at 0.6 V/SCE. The permeability of the modified electrodes was thereafter measured by using rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry with ferrocenemonocarboxylic acid as the electroactive probe.     

Amperometric determination of glucose in undiluted food samples

Glucose oxidase is immobilized onto a cellulose acetate membrane by glutaraldehyde linkage, and the membrane is used to cover the platinum electrode of a hydrogen peroxide sensor. A silanized polycarbonate membrane then covers the enzyme layer, and extends the linear calibration range to higher concentrations. The sensor, when incorporated into a flow-injection system, allows the determination of glucose at levels up to 1 M in soft drinks at a rate of 60 samples h^?1 without sample dilution.     

Study of the mimetic peroxidase-catalysed chemiluminescence reaction

The chemiluminescence behaviour of the reaction in which the Mn-TPPS₄ complex the mimetic enzyme of peroxidase [manganese tetrakis(sulphophenyl)porphine] acts as a catalyst for the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide was studied. The reaction product luminesces at 427 nm. Trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide and glucose can be determined with detection limits of 5.5 × 10^?9 and 2.7 × 10^?9 M, respectively. The characteristics of Mn-TPPS₄ were compared with those of horseradish peroxidase.     

Determination of d-glucose in undiluted whole blood using chemically modified electrodes and segmented sample injection in a flow system

A flow system for the determination of d-glucose in undiluted whole blood, in which segmented sample injection and on-line dialysis are used to decrease the red cell volume fraction (haematrocrit) dependence, is described. Glucose is degraded enzymatically by means of immobilized glucose dehydrogenase. The nicotinamide coenzyme (NAD⁺) that is present in the solution is reduced in the enzymatic reaction and is reoxidized amperometically at 0 mV vs. Ag/AgCl on a graphite electrode, modified with phenoxazinium ion. The potential use of the system for clinical analysis is evaluated.     

Hydrogenation of lactic acid to propylene glycol over copper-containing catalysts

Catalytic properties of different copper-containing catalysts synthesized from different precursors were studied in the hydrogenation of lactic acid at mild conditions. The most active catalyst was found to be chrysocolla-like copper hydroxysilicate with the copper loading of about 50 at%. At the optimal reaction conditions (T = 473 K, WHSV = 0.08 h⁻¹), 95% conversion of lactic acid over this catalyst and 65% selectivity to 1,2-propylene glycol were achieved. The effect of the weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) on the lactic acid conversion and selectivity to propylene glycol was studied. It is found that the formation of propylene glycol and propanoic acid as a byproduct proceeds via parallel pathways.     

A low perfusion rate microreactor for continuous monitoring of enzyme characteristics: application to glucose oxidase

This report describes a versatile and robust microreactor for bioactive proteins physically immobilized on a polyether sulfone filter. The potential of the reactor is illustrated with glucose oxidase immobilized on a filter with a cut-off value of 30 kDa. A flow-injection system was used to deliver the reactants and the device was linked on-line to an electrochemical detector. The microreactor was used for on-line preparation of apoglucose oxidase in strong acid and its subsequent reactivation with flavin adenine dinucleotide. In addition we describe a miniaturized version of the microreactor used to assess several characteristics of femtomole to attomole amounts of glucose oxidase. A low negative potential over the electrodes was used when ferrocene was the mediator in combination with horseradish peroxidase, ensuring the absence of oxidation of electro-active compounds in biological fluids. A low backpressure at very low flow rates is an advantage, which increases the sensitivity. A variety of further applications of the microreactor are suggested. Figure Preparation of apoGOx and restoration of enzyme activity using a soluton of FAD