Stratophase, a UK specialist in real-time chemical and biochemical measurement and detection, has collaborated with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) to develop an insertion probe variant of its SpectroSens system.
Enabling real-time monitoring of the bioproduction fermentation process, the multi-output SpectroSens insertion probe tracks compositional changes and monitors temperature in the liquid. Multiple discrete readings can be taken simultaneously at numerous locations, providing more reliable measurements and a reduced chance of false positives. As a result, the entire fermentation process can be precisely monitored to ensure excellent reproducibility and clear determination of the desired end-point.
The SpectroSens system sensors can be placed throughout the production process and networked via a control and analysis unit. Using only light at the point of measurement, the sensors are intrinsically safe and spark-free, removing any chances of ignition.
The new insertion probe fits standard ports for dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH probes, enabling ultra-high resolution, optical microchip technology to be applied to existing benchtop and large-scale bioreactor equipment. Other applications of the SpectroSens insertion probe include biofuel production and sustainable polymer development.
"Stratophase's new insertion probe allows us to find out more, in real-time, about what is happening in the bioproduction process," said Jerry Cooper, projects manager of CPI. "This has considerable benefits in terms of improved QC and potentially major cost-savings, offering the prospect of significant improvement over current technologies."
The SpectroSens insertion probe system is currently being trialled at the UK's National Industrial Biotechnology Facility (NIBF).
Stratophase is a spin-out from the University of Southampton. Its SpectroSens technology is an optical microchip sensor which measures chemical processes and detects biological targets.