Measuring dissolved co2

Greg:  For aerobic biological processes, dissolved carbon dioxide (DCO₂) is an essential process variable to understand what's happening upstream during a fermentation, bioreaction or a cell culture process. Far less recognized is that for nearly every pH system, the great disparity between theoretical and actual titration curves is due to what would be considered incredibly small amounts of DCO₂ from simple exposure to air, and a corresponding amount of carbonic acid.

During upstream operations, an accumulation of too much dissolved CO₂ can lead poor cell health, slower growth rate and increased death cell rate. Our bodies depend on our ability to inhale CO₂ in the atmosphere at a concentration of about 0.04% by volume, maintain in-vivo a concentration of 5%, and exhale unwanted CO₂. This is almost similar for mammalian cells, cultured ex-vivo using CO₂ incubators and bioreactors. All new biological pharmaceuticals (biologics) produced since the early 1980s manipulate the addition of CO₂ for pH control to change the concentration of carbonic acid. For most of the batch, the feed of CO₂ neutralizes the weak bases (e.g., ammonia) formed during the metabolic process of living and particularly growing cells. DCO₂ measurement is the key to monitoring and analyzing nearly all aerobic bioprocesses.

We can readily and reliably measure DCO₂ online by simply inserting an electrode into the process. To help us understand the important considerations for a successful DCO₂ measurement application, we have enlisted the help of Olivier Berteau (expert in Process Analytics Technologies at Mettler-Toledo) and included parts of the section on DCO₂ measurement from Process/Industrial Instruments and Controls Handbook Sixth Edition 2019. This handbook has a chapter on advancements in analytical measurements for biological and chemical processes.

Olivier, what is the basic principle of operation?

Olivier: The DCO₂ principle of measurement is called Severinghaus, developed by Dr. John W. Severinghaus and his technician A. Freeman Bradley in 1958. It uses a CO₂-sensitive glass electrode in a surrounding bicarbonate buffer able to capture dissolved CO₂ through a CO₂-permeable silicon membrane. Basically, it’s a selective pH measurement of CO₂ based on CO₂ content in culture media passing through the silicone membrane of a CO₂ sensor reacting with a specific electrolyte. A built-in temperature sensor is used to provide accurate temperature compensation. The same principle of measurement is used offline when sending a sample to a Blood Gas Analyzer (BGA) by scientists running cell culture. This is the reason why this CO₂ sensor is widely used upstream for research and development, process design and manufacturing operation.

Greg: What are some key applications?

Olivier: DCO₂ is important in many different applications, from beverage carbonation to mammalian and insect cell and aerobic microbial cultivation. There is currently no inline potentiometric Severinghaus electrode available for very high DCO₂ concentrations expected in carbonation applications. The Severinghaus CO₂ sensor remains accurate at 0-30% DCO₂ but loses accuracy when concentration is higher. The most common use of inline DCO₂ monitoring is in upstream bioprocessing because in many cases, the DCO₂ concentration is a critical measurement. The DCO₂ concentration impacts fluxes of key metabolic pathways as well as extracellular and intracellular pH, ultimately influencing growth, productivity and product quality. While the major application is in cell culture with mammalian and insect cells, this sensor is also useful for microbial models when CO₂ and its accumulation is an issue and must be monitored carefully. CO₂ is commonly monitored and controlled, for example, with organic acid fermentation as citric acid to avoid forming byproducts that affect productivity.

Greg: What are some watch-outs as to things that can go wrong?

Olivier: The main possibilities for a sensor not performing occur when recommendations for calibration haven’t been followed as prescribed. We also recommend using fresh electrolyte and a new sensor membrane prior sterilization. Pressure of the bioreactor should be used to compensate to avoid measurement errors, especially the error generated by static pressure. For extended fed-batch and continuous processes (e.g., perfusion), it is recommended to make regular process verification based on the BGA measurement of a process sample.

Greg: What are some installation and maintenance suggestions?

Olivier: In both clinical and commercial phases, it is essential to respect rules of preventive maintenance explained in our Good Operating Procedures (GoP) Guide. The sensor inserted into process must have its tip pointed down at angle equal to or higher than 15° (e.g., Ingold DN25 port).  

To visually check the DCO₂ sensor, we recommend the following procedure:

• The connector contacts must be dry. Moisture, corrosion and dirt can lead to false readings.
• Check the cable for kinks, brittle areas or tears.
• Examine the membrane foil optically for signs of damage. The foil must be intact and clean. Dirty membranes should be wiped clean using a soft, moist tissue.

An undulated membrane has no influence on the performance, assuming the membrane is intact.

• The membrane body must be replaced if the sensor has a long response time, the reading is unstable or subject to excessive drift, the sensor cannot be calibrated with CO₂ gas or the membrane shows signs of mechanical damage.
• Check the pH-sensitive glass for cracks. The diaphragm should show a white color. If necessary, rinse with deionized water. Do not wipe dry the electrode even with soft paper because this can lead to an unstable signal during the process due to electrostatic charges.

Greg: What are the suggested frequency and methods for calibration?

Olivier: Calibration is achieved one time prior to sterilization, and process verification frequency depends on the process, typically based on the observed drift. Accuracy is considered good when CO₂ between O-20% is within +/-1%, like the performance of a BGA offline. 

For calibration, we highly recommend a BGA when possible, or using a method in a gas phase (small bioreactors less than 15 liters). For gas calibration at higher volumes, a specific housing is used (e.g., InTrac 797).

When pH calibration is the preferred method, the pH sensor is rinsed in pH 7 buffer, placed in fresh buffer 7 for calibration, rinsed in pH 9 buffer, placed in in fresh buffer 9 for calibration, rinsed in CO₂ electrolyte, and finally placed in fresh electrolyte with a new membrane prior to sterilization.

The following best practices are offered:

1. Ensure the inner pH electrode was stored wet in CO₂ electrolyte.
2. If bubbles are observed in the inner pH electrode, attempt to remove them by gently shaking the sensor.
3. Perform a two-point calibration of the inner pH electrode with the pH buffer values specified by the manufacturer, without drying the inner pH electrode. Digital sensors typically arrive from the manufacturer pre-calibrated.
4. Once the calibration values meet the manufacturer's specification, fill the CO₂-permeable membrane with fresh CO₂ electrolyte, then submerge the inner pH electrode within the CO₂ electrolyte.
5. Once the CO₂ sensor is assembled, install it into the vessel. Ensure to maintain at least a 15° angle with the horizon.
6. Perform a process calibration. This can be achieved with an offline sample or with a known CO₂ concentration.
7. When the process has ended, the CO₂-permeable membrane can be discarded and the inner pH electrode should be stored with CO₂ electrolyte in a non-permeable cap.

Greg: Some parting words of wisdom are to recognize the great value of DCO₂ for better data analysis to diagnose bad batches and track down the possible causes. Data analytics depend on extensive and accurate measurements. For plant production of biologics, a bad batch often means a loss of $10 million or more and 10 or more days of production. A focus on the cost of additional electrodes is a bad joke. Electrode cost is also negligible for other bioreactors and fermenters with less-value-added products.  It is critical that vessels have extra connections to facilitate the future addition of sensors.