Operation of ion-selective electrode detectors in the sub-Nernstian/linear response range: application to flow-injection/enzymatic determination of L-glutamine in bioreactor media.

A novel approach for eliminating positive errors from endogenous ionic interferences when using ion-selective electrodes as detectors in flow-injection enzyme-based blosensing configurations is described. The method involves using a high background level of interfering ions in the sample diluent/carrier stream to convert the normally logarithmic potentiometric sensor into a linear detector over a given concentration range of primary ions. A split-stream single-detector arrangement provides a convenient means to compensate for varying levels of background interferent ions in the injected samples. One portion of the split stream passes directly to the ion-electrode detector, yielding a signal linearly related to the concentration of endogenous primary ions in the sample. The second portion of the split sample is delayed while passing through an immobilized enzyme that generates electrode detectable primary ions in proportion to the concentration of the substrate analyte in the sample. Two linear equations with two unknowns describe the twin potentiometric responses observed. The concept is demonstrated by the accurate determination of L-glutamine in hybridoma bioreactor media via the use of an ammonium-ion-selective membrane electrode detector and immobilized glutaminase enzyme.