Novel electrochemical sensor system for monitoring metabolic activity during the growth and cultivation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
A novel amperometric sensor system is presented which directly reflects the metabolic activity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells during cultivation. The principle of an externally mounted sensor is current measurement using a three-electrode system. Only living cells are detected since the current signal is based on a redox mediator. Added to a culture sample in its oxidized form, the mediator is reduced by cellular metabolism and subsequently re-oxidized at the anode. The spontaneous immobilisation of the cells in the reaction vessel of the sensor by swelling dextrane polymers (Sephadex) prior to measurement is the key to a fast, consistent signal. Even metabolically less active mammalian cells produce a reliable signal within a few minutes; this may open up future applications of the electrochemical sensor in closed loop process control not only for bacterial and fungal bioprocesses, but also in cell culture technology.
Pescheck
M
M
Biochemical Engineering Group, Karl-Winnacker-Institut der DECHEMA e.V., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Schrader
J
J
Sell
D
D
D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*