Application of oxygen-independent biosensor for testing yeast fermentation capacity

The pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent soluble glucose dehydrogenase based carbon paste electrodes were investigated and applied for glucose monitoring in the oxygen deficient media. Reagentless biosensors possessing a wide linear range (up to 5 mM glucose with a detection limit of 0.12 mM) were designed. The oxygen-insensitive response of the biosensor creates the opportunity to use it as a flow-through device for continuous monitoring of glucose in media during the wine yeast fermentation process. The analysis of glucose assimilation rate by yeast strains using the developed biosensor correlated well (R(2) = 0.9938) with convenient yeast testing methods. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.