Bacteria-Based Sensor for Monitoring Glycerol

Abstract

A new bacteria-based sensor for determination of glycerol was reported, in which mutant bacteria induced from the strain of Bacillus subtilis AS1.398 was used as a biocatalyst. The calibration graph of the proposed sensor was linear in the range of 1-10% (w/v) glycerol and the correlation coefficient was 0.9946. Lifetime of the sensor was more than two weeks. There was no significant interference from substances commonly coexisting in the fermentation broth except acetic acid. The sensor would be useful for monitoring glycerol during fermentation due to its linearity, selectivity, and lifetime. The bacteria could be used as a catalytic enzyme membrane which can reproduce itself in proper matrix.