High-throughput pH monitoring method for application in dairy fermentations. Issue 4 (22nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gutsal, Valery; Sieuwerts, Sander; Bibiloni, Rodrigo
• Is Part Of: Journal of dairy research. Volume 85:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 453
• Page End: 459
• Publication Date: 2018-11-22
• Subjects: Dairy starter cultures, -- pH monitoring, -- fluorescence indicators, -- acidification curve, -- milk-like medium, -- multi well plate reader; Dairying -- Periodicals; Dairying -- Research -- Periodicals; 636.214205
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022029918000717
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0299

Abstract

Abstract : Optimization of dairy fermentation processes often requires multiplexed pH measurements over several hours. The method developed here measures up to 90 samples simultaneously, where traditional electrode-based methods require a lot more time for handing the same number of samples. Moreover, the new method employs commonly used materials and can be used with a wider range of fluorescence readers than commercial 96-well plates with optical pH sensors. For this application, a milk-like transparent medium is developed that shows acidification properties with dairy starters that are similar to milk. Combination of this milk-like medium and 3 fluorescent indicators allow precise measurements of pH in a range of 4·0–7·0. The new method showed much higher throughput compared to the benchmark electrode systems while being as accurate, as shown by successful application for a comparison of various dairy starter cultures and for optimizing the inoculation rate.