An autosampler for fermentation

The operation of an autosampler, constructed from a peristatic pump, an interval timer and a fraction collector, for the removal of whole broth fermentation samples is described. The autosampler repetitively removes samples of user-determined size at repetitive time intervals. The sampler is intended for use with low containment fermentations. A comparison of the autosampler and the manual sampler of a fermenter showed good correlation of substrate consumption rates when changes were sizeable and superior results were obtained with the autosampler when the changes were subtle during a typical diauxic fermentation of Azotobacter vinelandii.