Analysis of pH-induced population oscillations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli using photon...

Following a recent successful application of p.c.s. to liquid chromatography in the biotechnology industry, its usefulness as a contamination monitor in the fermentation industry was assessed. It was found that: (i) the intensity bias of the technique limits its uses to the detection of contaminants when they are larger than the host; (ii) the inherent heterogeneity of microbial cultures prevents the use of multiangle studies, and (iii) the large size of bacteria make the use of p.c.s. in flowing, on-line systems impractical.