Raman measurement of glucose in bioreactor materials

The feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy to monitor the concentration of chemical species in a bioreactor has been examined. Successful operation of a bioreactor requires that nutrients and metabolic waste products be maintained within narrow ranges, and it is, therefore, important to provide accurate, reliable and timely measurement of the composition in the reactor. Raman spectroscopy offers the possibility of real time simultaneous monitoring of molecular components present in the millimolar and higher concentration range. Work reported here has focused on four analytes: glucose, glutamine, lactic acid and ammonia. Measurements have been made with a spectrograph providing a spectral window for simultaneous measurement of about 1800 cm-1 on a multichannel CCD detector. Most measurements were made with an argon ion laser emitting at 514.5 nm. Some measurements are reported with a solid state diode laser operating at 785 nm. Locally constructed inexpensive silica fiber-optic probes delivered the laser light and collected the scattered radiation. Spectra of the four analytes n buffer and reactor media have been obtained. Analytical curves have been constructed and limits of detection measured. Limits of detection in buffer media are about 1 mM. Results are reported for off-line measurements on material drawn from a bioreactor.