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July 8, 2008
Contact Information:
Martin Debreczeny
BugLab LLC
(925-208-1952)
martin@buglab.com
BugLab Launches Noninvasive Biomass Monitor for Continuous, On-Line Measurements
Danville, CA – BugLab LLC, has introduced the BugEye 200 Noninvasive Biomass Monitor, a novel biomass measurement system with the widest linear range of any such device currently available. The BugEye 200 performs automated, continuous, real-time optical density (OD) measurements of biomass for fermentation and cell culture applications. The BugEye 200 is designed for use in both research laboratory and industrial environments and has a sensor that is easily secured to the outside of a variety of different fermentor types, from small glass vessels to large stainless steel vessels with glass viewing ports. Since no immersion port is required, it avoids fouling and contamination and the need for sensor sterilization is also eliminated. Due to its simple implementation, the BugEye 200 has the lowest total cost of ownership of any biomass monitor currently available.
The BugEye 200 consists of a sensor head that attaches to the fermentor, and a base unit that interfaces with included PC software. Control of all instrument settings is available both on the base unit as well as through the PC software. In addition the software allows the user to track the progress of fermentation in real time in any desired units (OD, g/L, cells/mL, etc.) as well as easily track important events during the fermentation. The BugEye base unit comes equipped with serial RS-232, USB and two 4-20 mA analog outputs and can function as a stand-alone device or can be controlled through software via serial or USB protocols, enabling straightforward integration into a fermentor control system. Due to the highly linear response of the sensor to changes in
biomass, growth rate can be rapidly determined, and is made available to the
user both as analog and digital output signals.
Most immersion probe methods for measuring biomass are limited in the range of biomass growth they measure. The BugEye 200 on the other hand employs a novel method of optical monitoring that responds linearly to biomass over a wide range of growth: from less than 0.1 to greater than 300 OD units. The BugEye 200 has been tested and shown effective in measuring many types of microorganisms and cultures including e. coli, yeast, and animal cell cultures. The novel capabilities of the BugEye 200 will provide benefit in many areas of application including biopharmaceutical research and production, academic and industrial microbiology, industrial brewing, and biofuels research.
BugLab LLC is a privately held company dedicated to providing novel instrumentation to deliver high-quality, non-invasive measurements in microbiological applications. The company leverages its unique optical technologies in developing products that address common measurement challenges in biopharmaceutical, fermentation and cell culture applications.
