Amperometric determination of acetic acid with immobilized Trichosporon brassicae

A microbial sensor consisting of immobilized Trichosporon brassicae, a gas-permeable Teflon membrane and an oxygen electrode is suitable for the continuous determination of acetic acid in fermentation broths. When an acetic acid solution is pumped through the flow system, the current decreases to a steady state with a response time of 8 min; shorter pumping times give peaks which can also be measured. The relationship between the current decrease and the acetic acid concentration is linear up to 54 mg l^-1, with a relative standard deviation of about 6% at the higher concentrations. Selectivity is satisfactory. Results obtained with this sensor and by gas chromatography for a glutamic acid fermentation broth were in good agreement (regression coefficient 1.04). The sensor was stable for more than 3 weeks and 1500 assays.