Application of a luminescence-based pH optrode to monitoring of fermentation by Klebsiella pneumoniae

Transparent Ion-Exchange Membrane Exhibiting Intense Emission under a Specific pH Condition Based on Polypyridyl Ruthenium(II) Complex with Two Imidazophenanthroline Groups

The development and the photophysical behavior of a transparent ion-exchange membrane based on a pH-sensitive polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complex, [(bpy)2RuII(H2bpib)RuII(bpy)2](ClO4)4 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, H2bpib = 1,4-bis([1,10]phenanthroline[5,6-d]-imidazol-2-yl)benzene), are experimentally and theoretically reported. The emission spectra of [(bpy)2RuII(H2bpib)RuII(bpy)2]@Nafion film were observed between pH 2 and pH 11 and showed the highest relative emission intensity at pH 5 (λmaxem = 594.4 nm). The relative emission intensity of the film significantly decreased down to 75% at pH 2 and 11 compared to that of pH 5. The quantum yields (Φ) and lifetimes (τ) showed similar correlations with respect to pH, Φ = 0.13 and τ = 1237 ns at pH 5, and Φ = 0.087 and τ = 1014 ns and Φ = 0.069 and τ = 954 ns at pH 2 and pH 11, respectively. These photophysical data are overall considerably superior to those of the solution, with the radiative- (kr) and non-radiative rate constants (knr) at pH 5 estimated to be kr = 1.06 × 105 s-1 and knr = 7.03 × 105 s-1. Density functional theory calculations suggested the contribution of ligand-to-ligand- and intraligand charge transfer to the imidazolium moiety in Ru-H3bpib species, implying that the positive charge on the H3bpib ligand works as a quencher. The Ru-Hbpib species seems to enhance non-radiative deactivation by reducing the energy of the upper-lying metal-centered excited state. These would be responsible for the pH-dependent "off-on-off" emission behavior.

Study on low-cost calibration-free pH sensing with disposable optical sensors

As labor costs become more expensive, less labor-intensive disposable devices have become more ubiquitous. Similarly, the disposable optical pH sensor developed in our lab could provide a convenient yet cost-effective way for pH sensing in processes that require stringent pH control. This optical pH sensor is prepared in uniform individual lots of 100-200 sensors per lot. Calibration is accomplished on a few randomly selected sensors out of each lot. We show that all others in the same lot can then be used directly without requiring individual calibration. In this paper, a calibration model is derived to include all the factors that affect the signal of the disposable sensor. Experimental results show that the derived calibration model fits the experimental data. The readings of 28 randomly selected disposable sensors with 4 sensors from each of the 7 lots show an error less than 0.1 pH units in the useful sensing range of the sensor. The calibration model indicates that if further improvement on precision is desired, more uniform porous material and more advanced coating techniques will be required. When it comes to the effects of the varying coasters, house-made low-cost fluorometers, the variability in the brightness ratio of the blue-to-violet LEDs is the primary reason for the lack of precision. Other factors like LED light intensity distribution, optical properties of the filters and electronics also contribute to the coaster-to-coaster difference, but to a lesser extent. Two different methods for correcting the instrument variations were introduced. After correction, the collective reading errors for all the tested instruments were reduced to less than 0.2 pH units within the sensor's useful sensing range. Based on this result, our lab is currently implementing further improvements in modifying the coasters to equalize the ratios of blue-to-violet LED brightness.

Development and application of an excitation ratiometric optical pH sensor for bioprocess monitoring

The development of a fluorescent excitation ratiometric pH sensor (AHQ-PEG) using a novel allylhydroxyquinolinium (AHQ) derivative copolymerized with polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEG) is described. The AHQ-PEG sensor film is shown to be suitable for real-time, noninvasive, continuous, online pH monitoring of bioprocesses. Optical ratiometric measurements are generally more reliable, robust, inexpensive, and insensitive to experimental errors such as fluctuations in the source intensity and fluorophore photobleaching. The sensor AHQ-PEG in deionized water was shown to exhibit two excitation maxima at 375 and 425 nm with a single emission peak at 520 nm. Excitation spectra of AHQ-PEG show a decrease in emission at the 360 nm excitation and an increase at the 420 nm excitation with increasing pH. Accordingly, the ratio of emission at 420:360 nm excitation showed a maximum change between pH 5 and 8 with an apparent pK(a) of 6.40. The low pK(a) value is suitable for monitoring the fermentation of most industrially important microorganisms. Additionally, the AHQ-PEG sensor was shown to have minimal sensitivity to ionic strength and temperature. Because AHQ is covalently attached to PEG, the film shows no probe leaching and is sterilizable by steam and alcohol. It shows rapid (approximately 2 min) and reversible response to pH over many cycles without any photobleaching. Subsequently, the AHQ-PEG sensor film was tested for its suitability in monitoring the pH of S. cereviseae (yeast) fermentation. The observed pH using AHQ-PEG film is in agreement with a conventional glass pH electrode. However, unlike the glass electrode, the present sensor is easily adaptable to noninvasive monitoring of sterilized, closed bioprocess environments without the awkward wire connections that electrodes require. In addition, the AHQ-PEG sensor is easily miniaturized to fit in microwell plates and microbioreactors for high-throughput cell culture applications.

Three-component systems for conventional and window-shaped response fluorescent pH indicators

Three-component systems made of a tetradentate bis-amino bis-quinoline ligand, a transition metal cation (Ni2+ or Cu2+) and a fluorescent indicator (Coumarin 343) have been studied in a water-dioxane (1 : 4 v/v) mixture, through potentiometric, pH-spectrophotometric and pH-fluorimetric titrations. For the Cu2+ containing systems, an "on-off-on" variation of fluorescence intensity vs. pH has been observed, whereas in the presence of Ni2+ a simple "on-off" profile of the fluorescence intensity vs. pH was obtained. These ternary systems thus behave as window-shaped or conventional pH-indicators, depending whether Cu2+ or Ni2+ is used as the cation.