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Nature Biotechnology 1, 181–188 (1 April 1983) | doi:10.1038/nbt0483-181

Experimental Methods for On|[ndash]|Line Mass Spectrometry in Fermentation Technology|[ast]|

E. Heinzle , K. Furukawa , I. J. Dunn & J. R. Bourne

It is shown here how mass spectrometry (MS) can be used for on–line data acquisition in fermentation. MS was applied in this work to analyze gas and liquid phases. Gas phase analysis allows fast and accurate measurement of all gases of interest (O2, N2, CO2, Ar, He etc.). Liquid phase analysis is possible with a steam sterilizable membrane probe and permits direct analysis of dissolved gases (O2, CO2, N2) and various volatiles. Automatic switching between gas inlet and membrane probe and the data reduction was accomplished by desk computer. Continuous yeast fermentation was monitored over long periods to study long–term stability, which seems to be adequate for fermentation processes.