Due to the increasing presence of microplastic particles (MP) in the Environment and the unknown risks arising from them, there is an urgent need for analytical methods that allow for an efficient identification and quantification of microplastics (MP), i.e. particles < 5 mm, in environmental samples. So far, mostly timeconsuming (micro) infrared or micro-Raman spectroscopic methods are applied. Here an faster alternative Approach is presented based on a Raman processspectrometer with fiber-optical probes in combination with multivariate data analysis.
The project InPROMPT aims to establish a robust hydroformylation reaction process of the alkene n-dodecene to the aldehyde n-tridecanal using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. This industrial relevant production process demands further research for optimization and expansion. For that purpose, the fiber optic coupled probe of a process Raman spectrometer is directly introduced in the product stream, which enables the recording of spectra within short control intervals.
The Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT aims to establish a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro-emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the temperature and concentration sensitive multi-phase system demands a continuous observation of the reaction to achieve an operational and economically feasible plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of both NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control assistance. The lab-scale experiments were supported by sampling for off-line GC-analysis as reference analytics. The results of the NMR experiments will be part of another contribution.
Supernatants from a fermentation process of Pichia pastoris were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Using partial least squares regression, the principal substrates glycerol and methanol could be predicted, however not the expressed protein. To gain further insight, a priori prepared calibration samples were studied by vibrational-, UV/Vis-, and fluorescence spectroscopy. For the quantification of glycerol and methanol, Raman spectroscopy was identified as the most sensitive technique, and superior to near-infrared spectroscopy, but not for protein contents below 1 g L–1. Both UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy are well suited for the quantification of protein, however, best results were obtained with UV/Vis absorption.
Spectroscopic methods possess important advantages for the observation of bioprocesses: they are robust, gain many data within a short time scale, and allow for the measurement of multiple relevant information at the same time. Next to Near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy is increasingly applied as a powerful online tool to monitor bioprocesses. However, Raman spectra may be obscured by straylight, cosmic rays and fluorescence. To achieve the best performance, optimal conditions for spectral quality and stability should be pursued. This comprises not only the choice of highly-sensitive equipment, but also the way of implementation into the process. Here we compared the potential of introducing a sterilized fiber optical Raman probe, and a flow-through cell into the bypass of a stirred tank reactor to monitor an autotrophic cultivation of Ralstonia eutropha where gasses are the energy and carbon sources. Raman spectra were continuously recorded over seven days and 22 samples were taken for the reference analytics of biomass, optical density, and protein. In addition, data for of phosphate and ammonium were available. The quantitative Evaluation of Raman spectra by Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) yielded comparable results for both approaches, however, there was a general trend of lower prediction errors with the immersion probe.
The better performance of the non-contact optic may be either related to a more representative interaction of the measurement optics with the probe or simply to the absence of probe-fouling, which was observed with the immersion optic in the interstice between window and metal frame.