Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)
Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2001

Monitoring growth of the methanogenic archaea Methanobacterium formicicum using an electronic nose

Brandgård, Jennie; Sundh, Ingvar; Nordberg, Åke; Schnürer, Anna; Mandenius, Carl-Fredrik; Mathisen, Berit

Abstract

Growth of the methanogenic archaea, Methanobacterium formicicum, in pure culture was monitored by analysing samples from the gas phase with an array of chemical gas sensors (an 'electronic nose'). Analyses of the methane and protein formation rates were used as independent parameters of growth, and the data obtained from the electronic nose were evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA). We found that different growth phases can be distinguished with the electronic nose followed by PCA evaluation. The fast response of the sensors in combination with the high correlations with other parameters measuring growth show that the electronic nose can be a useful tool to rapidly determine methanogenic growth.

Keywords

chemical gas sensors; electronic nose; Methanobacterium formicicum; methanogenic growth

Published in

Biotechnology Letters
2001, Volume: 23, number: 4, pages: 241-248
Publisher: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL