Errors in Measuring Oxygen in Shake Flasks
Author Information
Author(s): Sven Hansen, Frank Kensy, Andreas Käser, Jochen Büchs
Primary Institution: RWTH Aachen University
Hypothesis
Conventional methods for measuring dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) in shake flasks may produce erroneous results.
Conclusion
The Clark-type electrode is unsuitable for measuring DOT, while the new rotating flexitube optical sensor provides more accurate measurements.
Supporting Evidence
- Clark-type electrodes increase oxygen transfer capacity but alter hydrodynamics.
- Fixed sensor spots may not always contact the bulk liquid, leading to erroneous DOT readings.
- The rotating flexitube optical sensor maintains contact with the bulk liquid, providing accurate measurements.
Takeaway
This study shows that using certain sensors to measure oxygen in shake flasks can give wrong results, but a new type of sensor works better.
Methodology
The study compared the performance of Clark-type electrodes and a new rotating flexitube optical sensor in measuring DOT during fermentation processes.
Potential Biases
The fixed sensor spot may register gas in the headspace instead of the actual liquid, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Limitations
The rotating flexitube optical sensor requires a complicated setup and is not as durable as fixed sensor systems.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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