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O2k-pH ISE-Module

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O2k-Open Support

O2k-pH ISE-Module



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MitoPedia O2k and high-resolution respirometry: O2k-Open Support 



Description

PH new.jpg

O2k-pH ISE-Module: two pH electrodes and reference electrodes and accessories


Reference: Product details and purchase information


Additional resources

» O2k-SOP: MiPNet08.16 pH calibration


O2k signal and output

  1. O2k signal: The O2k-pH ISE-Module is operated through the pX channel of the O2k, with electric potential (volt [V]) as the primary and raw signal
  2. O2k output: type I and II


pH changes versus glycolytic flux

Measurement of extracellular proton production and glycolytic flux are related under specific controlled conditions. Such conditions must be carefully evaluated, may require modifications of protocols, and need data analysis beyond reporting changes of pH.
  • The extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) is the change of pH over time, which may be of interest in relation to acidification problems in a culture medium or incubation buffer. pH is the negative logarithm of proton activity. Comparable to volume-specific [[oxygen flux] [pmol·s-1·mL-1]], which is the (negative) time derivative of oxygen concentration measured in a closed system, volume-specific proton flux is the time derivative of proton concentration, expressed in units [pmol·s-1·mL-1]]. The physiologically relevant metabolic proton flux, therefore, must not be confused with ECAR.
» Proton flux
  • Very small buffering capacity is required: To accurately measure biologically induced changes in pH, the buffering capacity of the medium has to be small. This may be addressed either by using or preparing media with a buffering capacity that is low but still sufficient to keep the pH in the desired range for a limited period of time. An alternative approach is to use buffers with very low buffering capacity and keep the pH value inside the desired limits by a pH-Stat.


Compare measurement of pH with the pH electrode and ratiometric fluorometric methods (NextGen-O2k)

» Carboxy SNARF 1
» HPTS


O2k-Manual

Introduction and scope

The Oroboros O2k supports the modular O2k-MultiSensor extension for recording potentiometric (voltage) signals simultaneously with the oxygen signals in both O2k-chambers. A new pH probe system is described here, consisting of separate reference and measuring electrodes.
Definition of terms
  • pH/ISE: The potentiometric channels may be used with different kinds of pH / ISE (ion selective electrode) modules, (i) with the pH / reference electrode module described here, or (ii) with an ISCE – an ion selective combination electrode, combining reference and measuring electrode into one sensor (pH combination electrodes, other ion selective electrodes; see O2k-TPP+_ISE-Module). The O2k not only includes the two potentiometric channels, but supports two additional amperometric (current) channels for the O2k-Fluo_LED2-Module or amperometric sensors (NO, H2O2, etc).
  • pX: Potentiometric measurements result in a voltage signal which is typically a linear function of the logarithm of the activity (concentration) of the substance of interest (the analyte). A calibrated pH electrode displays the negative decadic logarithm of the H+ ion activity (potentia hydrogenii) and thus got its name “pH electrode”. By analogy, an ISE may be used to measure pTPP, pCa, etc., hence the general term “pX” is used to denote the signal from such an ISE.


The pH electrode: shipping, storage and maintenance

The pH electrode is shipped with the glass bulb immersed in a vial containing a wet sponge. The pH electrode can be stored in this condition. Carefully unwind the tape and remove the probe from the protective glass tube.
Conditioning: Optimum response time will be obtained after the probe has been exposed to two buffer solutions. Place a pH 4 buffer or equivalent in a beaker and a pH7 buffer or equivalent in a second beaker. Hold the pH electrode and reference electrode together and touch the pH 4 buffer surface, allowing 15-20 seconds of equilibration. Rinse the two electrodes with distilled water and then touch the pH 7 buffer surface in the same manner. Repeat several times.
Handling: Be careful not to apply pressure against, or to shock, the inner glass capillary tube.
Cleaning: When using the electrode in solutions containing protein, the pH electrode and reference electrode should be soaked in enzyme cleaning solution such as Terg-a-zyme (Alconox Inc), or a chromic/sulfuric acid glass cleaning solution after each use for a few minutes to remove the protein from the glass and the reference junction. This will prolong the lifetime of the electrode.
Storage: Always clean the electrode before storing.
  • Long-term storage (over 2 weeks): Place the electrode into its original container in the same condition in which your received it. Usually this means moistening with distilled water the sponge located in the bottom of the protective glass tube.
  • Short-term storage: The electrode can be left in acidic pH buffer solution, e.g. pH 4.
Troubleshooting: If possible try to locate the problem either at the measuring pH or at the reference electrode by switching electrodes. If you have only one reference electrode you can switch to a spare glass barrel for diagnostic purposes. The following text assumes that the problem was located on the reference electrode.
  • Little or no response: Inspect the electrode for visible cracks (usually occurring at the tip of the electrode). If any exists, the electrode is defective and must be replaced. The slightest crack in or around the tip of the electrode may cause the electrode to read about the same in all solutions.
  • Response pegs off-scale: (i) Check the pX gain setting. (ii) Visually inspect the electrode for a broken bulb.
  • Sluggish response: If the electrode becomes sluggish in responding to changes in pH, the response time can be improved using the following procedure:
  1. Clean the electrode as described above.
  2. Soak the electrode in 0.1 N HCl for 5 minutes, followed by soaking in 0.1 N NaOH for 5 minutes. After repeating several times, rinse the electrode thoroughly with distilled water. The electrode can then be calibrated in the usual manner.


Reference electrode: assembly, storage and maintenance

The electrode is composed of an internal silver-silver chloride electrode with an internal filling solution of 3 M KCl saturated with AgCl. Before the electrode can be placed into operation, the glass reference barrel must be filled with the internal reference solution supplied.
Filling the reference barrel:
  1. Unscrewing the white plastic cap: Remove the upper part of the cap with the attached silver wire. Pull the glass out of the lower part of the cap.
  2. The internal reference solution is added to the glass tube using the provided electrolyte bottle and polyethylene tubing: Insert filling tube into nipple of electrolyte bottle. Push until tube locks into place. Insert tube into reference barrel and squeeze bottle. Fill reference barrel up to approximately 1.5 cm (approx. 0.5 inch) from top.
  3. After filling the glass barrel with the reference electrolyte, the silver wire is inserted into the glass tube and the electrode cap is re-assembled.
Cleaning the electrode: To wash the reference electrode between runs, rinsing is recommended in the sequence water, pure ethanol, and water. This procedure should be usually sufficient to prevent carry-over even of hydrophobic inhibitors, since the reference electrode is made of non-hydrophobic materials. Immersion into pure ethanol for longer periods of time should be avoided to prevent blocking of the ceramic diaphragm in an assembled electrode. When using the electrode in solutions containing higher concentrations of protein, the electrode should be soaked in a dedicated enzyme cleaning solution or a chromic/sulfuric acid glass cleaning solution after each use for 10-15 seconds to remove the protein from the glass and the reference junction. This will prolong the useful life of the electrode.
Storing the electrode: Always clean the electrode before storing. Protect reference electrodes from light during storage, e.g. by wrapping them in aluminum paper.
  • Short term: Place the tip of the electrode in a test tube or beaker containing reference electrolyte (3 M KCl). 15 mL Falcon vials are well suited. If necessary refill electrolyte before use.
  • Long-term (>4 weeks): Remove the glass barrel containing the electrolyte and store the entire glass barrel in a closed test tube filled with the reference electrolyte. Rinse the silver wire and electrode cap to remove the salt solution and dry using an absorbent towel. Store in the accessory box or any closed container to keep dust off of the electrode and protect from light.
Troubleshooting: If possible try to locate the problem either at the measuring pH or at the reference electrode by switching electrodes. If you have only one reference electrode you can switch to a spare glass barrel for diagnostic purposes. The following text assumes that the problem was located on the reference electrode.
  • Little or no response: Inspect the electrode for visible cracks. If any exists, the glass barrel is defective and must be replaced with a spare. The slightest crack in or around the tip of the electrode may cause the electrode to read about the same in all solutions.
  • Response pegs off-scale:
  1. Check the pX gain setting.
  2. Visually inspect the electrode for broken or dissolving internal Ag-AgCl wire or for inadequate volume of reference electrolyte. Reference electrolyte level should be above the Ag-AgCl element.
  3. Blocked or clogged liquid junction – clean electrode tip first then soak the tip of the electrode in warm (not hot) distilled water for 5 to 10 minutes. If still clogged, then soak overnight in distilled water or replace reference barrel with spare barrel supplied.

O2k-MultiSensor System

Applications of the O2k with one or two potentiometric electrodes (ISE or pH) require an O2k Series D and higher, or a previous O2k-Series with electronic MultiSensor upgrading. In addition to the two polarographic (amperometric) oxygen channels, the O2k provides two electronic channels for potentiometric (voltage) measurements with ISE or pH (O2k Series B upwards). The Multisensor function of O2k Series D (and higher) is extended further with two additional amperometric channels (current measurement; for NO, etc.). Please see O2k-Main Unit#O2k-Series for how to determine the series of an oxygraph.

O2k-FluoRespirometer

Connect: In O2k Series D and higher, pH and reference electrodes are directly connected to the plugs on the front side of the O2k. Insert the connector of the pH electrode into the BNC plug labelled “pX” and the connector of the reference electrode to the 2 mm pin plug labelled “Ref”. See MiPNet22.11 O2k-FluoRespirometer manual.
Gain: The gain of the pX channel can be selected in the DatLab software in the O2k configuration window. For measurements with the OROBOROS pH system, a gain of 20 is suggested. Usually it will not be necessary to change the gain for pH work.

O2k Series B and C, pX upgrade

» Talk:MiPNet23.12 O2k-pH ISE-Module


Operation instructions

Insertion of electrodes: bubble-free filling of the chambers

MultiSensor vs. Standard stoppers: The introduction of several (large) electrodes into the O2k-chamber through the stopper requires the use of a special “MultiSensor stopper”. The standard stopper has a concave shape on its end inserted into the chamber, with a single capillary (gas-escape/titration capillary) in the centre of the stopper (the highest point when inserted). The end of the pH-MultiSensor stopper is angular with one capillary and two electrode inlets. The gas-escape/titration capillary is at the side of the stopper at the highest point when inserted.
Preventing bubbles: When inserting the stopper into the O2k-chamber filled with aqueous medium, gas bubbles are guided into the gas-escape/titration capillary and pushed out of the chamber. This is more effective, however, with the standard stopper than the MultiSensor stopper. Therefore, great care should be taken to avoid the trapping of bubbles during initial insertion. The single most important point for prevention of bubble formation is to close the chamber only after full thermal equilibrium has been established. The best criterion for thermal equilibrium is a stable oxygen signal, with a slope near zero in the “open chamber” configuration used for oxygen sensor calibration, see MiPNet12.08.
  1. Fill the chamber with medium (2.6 mL for a 2 mL chamber) allowing for a well-defined air space when stirred (see [#section42 Section 4.2]).
  2. Place the stoppers on top of the chambers but do not yet close them. Activate stirring. A gas phase similar to the one for air calibration has to be visible. Using Graph layout “1. Calibration Gr3 Temp.”, wait until temperature, Peltier power, and oxygen concentration are stable and the slope of oxygen concentration is near zero (±1 pmol∙s­1∙mL­1).
  3. Calibrate the oxygen signal (air calibration), see Calibration.
  4. Stop the stirrers, and insert the stoppers completely into the chambers.
  5. Insert the reference electrode into slightly larger mm) inlet of the stopper (it won’t fit into the more narrow inlet, so it is a good idea always to start with the reference electrode to find to correct inlets). If a gas bubble remains in the chamber (but liquid is on top of the stopper) try to remove the gas bubble: inserting a short needle (if possible with a flat tip) without an attached syringe into the titration port usual removes any bubbles from the inlet, thereby allowing the big bubble to escape from the chamber. Smaller bubbles may be brought nearer to the gas-escape capillary by starting and stopping the stirrer several times. It may be necessary to lift the entire stopper (including pH electrode) to a position above the liquid phase and insert it again.
  6. Make sure that the smaller inlet for the reference electrode is totally filled with liquid – if necessary add more pre-warmed liquid (same composition as in the chamber) to the top of the stopper.
  7. Insert the reference electrode into the chamber. Move it up and down to get rid of any bubbles that might be trapped in its inlet. Switch on the stirrer and check for any bubbles. If there are bubbles, repeat the instructions described above.
  8. Connect the electrodes to their proper plugs, see above.
  9. Aspirate all excess liquid from the top of the stopper, making sure the top is dry and no liquid film connects the different inlets.
The uncorrected slope of the oxygen concentration should now be in the usual range for a closed chamber at atmospheric saturation (2 - 4 pmol∙s­1∙mL­1). Considerably different fluxes may indicate that there is a liquid “bridge” on top of the stopper connecting at least two different inlets, allowing the circulation of liquid between the chamber and the top of the stopper.

Volume calibration with MultiSensor stoppers

When using an MultiSensor stopper, the pH and reference electrodes must be in place when calibrating the O2k-chamber volume. This is similar to volume calibration with standard stoppers, see MiPNet12.06.
  1. Add to the dry O2k-chamber containing the stirrer bar a water volume accounting for the final chamber volume (2 mL) plus the additional dead volume in the capillary and spaces between electrodes and inlets. For the OROBOROS pH Assembly (ion selective electrode + reference electrode), this additional volume is approximately 0.14 mL. Therefore, the necessary volume to calibrate a chamber volume of 2 mL with the Oroboros pH system is 2.14 mL.
  2. Start stirring, cover the chamber with a Perspex cover or a loosely placed stopper, and wait for equilibration. To avoid creating bubbles during the calibration process it is very important to allow for full thermal equilibration of the liquid in the chamber. Continue with volume calibration only after reaching the conditions for oxygen calibration at air saturation (stable temperature and Peltier power, near-zero uncorrected oxygen flux (±1 pmol∙s­1∙mL­1).
  3. Prepare the MultiSensor stopper as described for a standard stopper (loosening the calibration ring, drying the stopper), making sure that the three inlets are dry. Remove the pH and the references electrode from their respective storage solutions. Dry their shafts with a paper towel (do not use a paper towel directly on glas bulb of the pH electrode or the diaphragm of the reference electrode). Insert the electrodes into the MultiSensor stopper.
  4. Stop the stirrer. Place the stopper on top of the chamber with a loosened volume calibration ring slid down to the chamber holder. Insert the MultiSensor stopper slowly into the unstirred chamber carefully observing first the diminishing gas phase in the chamber. Then focus on the top of the stopper. Stop the insertion as soon as the first drop of liquid appears on the top of the stopper. This may be visible first on top of the gas-ejection capillary comparable to the standard stoppers, but it may also occur at the edge of the reference electrode or the pH electrode.
  5. Fix the position of the volume calibration ring by tightening the screw as in the procedure with a standard stopper.

Handling during an experiment

Two problems have to be avoided while running an experiment with a MultiSensor stopper:
(a) Introduction of bubbles: After the chamber was filled as described, no gas bubbles should be either in the chamber or in the capillary.
(b) Circulation of liquid between the top of the stopper and the internal chamber needs to be prevented by aspirating any excess liquid form the top of the stopper. These conditions have to be maintained during the entire experiment, removing excess liquid from the stopper after any titration.


Injections: Before inserting a syringe needle into the stopper (manual or TIP syringe), make sure that the capillary is filled with liquid – if necessary, place a drop of liquid on top of the capillary - then remove any bubbles from the capillary by using a needle without an attached syringe. A gas-escape/titration capillary filled with liquid without any gas bubbles provides good visibility through the capillary to the light within the chamber. If you cannot see the light, the capillary is blocked by gas bubbles. These need to be removed. Similarly, when the stirrer is switched off, an internally trapped gas bubble might move into a position to block the light, which can be checked further by switching the stirrer on and off.
Insert the needle and perform the titration (manual or TIP2k). After removing the needle, remember to aspirate any excess liquid from the top of the stopper that has been ejected from the constant-volume chamber during titration. It is important to minimize the time span during which a liquid bridge exists between the different inlets through the stopper.

Instrumental background oxygen flux

Instrumental oxygen background parameters are used to correct on-line biological oxygen flux MiPNet14.06. Instrumental O2 background tests have to be carried out with the MultiSensor stopper and all electrodes in place. Instrumental background parameters obtained with standard stoppers cannot be used to calculate biological oxygen consumptions obtained in a MultiSensor experiment.


Dithionite background
Because of difficulties involved in opening and closing the O2k-chamber closed with a MultiSensor stopper and electrodes, it is strongly recommended to use the instrumental background procedure based on dithionite injections, see MiPNet14.06 Instrumental O2 background. This method avoids repeated opening and closing of the O2k-chamber. To run an instrumental oxygen background experiment, set up the chambers and electrodes as described above and then follow the procedure see MiPNet14.06.
Instrumental background parameters for oxygen flux
An O2k-chamber with a MultiSensor stopper has a higher oxygen back diffusion, a0 at zero oxygen concentration, as compared with a standard stopper. In a 2 mL chamber using the OROBOROS pH system in MiR06 at 37 °C, with an oxygen regime from air saturation to low oxygen, the backdiffusion parameter, a°, typically ranges from -4 to -8 pmol∙s­1∙mL­1. If more negative fluxes (< -10 pmol∙s­1∙mL­1) are detected in the background experiment, this is a strong indication that a liquid bridge exist on the top of the stopper. This problem can be solved by simply aspirating any excess liquid from the top of the stopper.

pH calibration

» Calibration and MiPNet08.16 pH calibration.
» PH calibration buffers

Performance, trouble shooting, and electrode lifetime

Performance criteria can be assessed by two tests:
1. Calibrations must be reproducible: After performing a two point calibration, reinserting the electrodes in the first used calibration buffer should give the correct calibrated pH value. The slope and intercept of the calibration can be copied to a spreadsheet file (File:PH-Calibration-List.xls) to obtain a track record..
2.Drift: The drift in the medium without biological sample hast to be small as compared to pH changes expected from the sample. The drift will be different in different media (buffering capacity), so for each used system the necessary experience has to be gained. The drift is the first time derivative of the pH signal, so in DatLab it will be shown as “pX Slope”. After proper calibration the unit of this plot will be mpH/s.
Trouble shooting: If the required performance criteria are not reached, the following steps should be tested:
  1. Set the polarisation voltage of the O2 sensor to 0 V in the O2k Control window. Observe any effects on the pX raw signal. A tiny potential jump is acceptable. If a drift in the pX signal is either increased or reduced by this test or an extreme jump in the signal observed, the membrane of the polarographic oxygen sensor (POS) should be replaced. Reset the polarisation voltage to 800 mV after the test.
  2. If you have two pH electrodes: Locate the problem to either the reference electrode or the pH electrode by switching either only the pH or only the reference electrode between chambers.
  3. Follow the specific trouble shooting procedures for the reference electrode or the pH electrode described above.
  4. pH electrode lifetime: All glass pH electrodes do have a limited lifetime due to aging of the glass membrane. After 1.5 to 2 years a loss of performance will occur even without use. Therefore, we strongly recommend to obtain pH electrodes only when required for a defined project and not buy the electrodes ahead of need.

Measuring proton production

From the change of the pH signal

To calculate the actual proton flow in the system from the observed change in the pH signal the buffering capacity of the medium has to be determined before the introduction of sample. This is best achieved by setting up the TIP with HCl in the syringes and simulate the expected proton production of the sample by setting an appropriate flow rate for the TIP. In the simplest implementation just one flow rate is used for about 5 minutes. From the first time derivative of the pH signal the buffering capacity can be calculated. Afterwards the TIP has to be re-fitted with syringes containing KOH (NaOH) for using the pH-Stat during the actual biological experiment. The observed rates of pH changes during the biological experiment (pX slope/ first time derivative of pH signal) can then be directly converted to Proton flow values using the buffering capacity determined before. This is shown in the spreadsheet file "pH Stat Template Buffer Capacity_one_point" In a more sophisticated approach a multiple point calibration is done: Several proton flows are simulated before the experiment, a linear regression between set proton flow and observed pH slope is done and the regression parameters are used to calculate proton flows from the pX slopes observed during the biological experiment.
These approaches assume a linear relationship between pH change and introduced protons. This is an approximation that is only valid for very small pH changes. In other words the buffering capacity has to be constant during the entire experiment.
For calculating proton production rates following this approach directly in DatLab, see below.

From the amount of injected base

The limitations mentioned above can be overcome by using the amount of base necessary in the pH-Stat approach to hold the pH value constant. If the pH values at the beginning and at the end of a time interval are identical then the proton floe during this time interval can be directly calculated from the amount of base injected to keep the pH value constant. While this method does not assume a constant buffering capacity during the entire experiment there are some drawbacks:
  • Usually only the "pH-Stat-strict" approach will assure the identical pH values at the beginning and the end of a time period necessary for this approach (This could possibly be overcome by more advanced data analysis).
  • Only one value for proton flow for each period between injections is calculated in contrast to the continuous recording facilitated by the first mentioned method.
  • The injected volumes have to be read out form TIP events. This can be partially automated in a spreadsheet template (pH Stat Template Injected Volume) but is more tedious than the method using the buffering capacity
  • Initial trials with simulated proton flows indicted this method to be slightly less precise than the method using the buffering capacity.

Conclusion and templates

A potential compromise would be to use the method based on buffering capacity for routine calculations but check selected (late) phases of the experiment with the method based on added base volume. Thereby, significant changes in buffering capacity during the experiment should be detected.

DatLab analysis

Px referencelayouts.png
pX reference layouts

Graph layout: Four reference layouts are available in DatLab 7 based on the recorded pX signal:
  • 01 Potentiometric
  • 02a TPP_calibration
  • 02b TPP_with_O2flux
  • 02c TPP_calibrated_with_O2flux
These layouts can be selected in [Layout / Reference layouts / O2 & pX].
Reference layouts can be modified and saved as user-defined layouts, see MitoPedia: DatLab.


O2kcontrol px.PNG

pX settings

In the O2k configuration window the pX channel can be activated and a label for the inserted pX electrode can be entered for documentation purposes.
Gain and Offset voltage [mV] for the pX channel can be set in the O2k control window [F7], tab: Potentiometric, pX. The gain influences the "pX Raw Signal” recorded in DatLab. Therefore, a gain of 1 will give the same voltage [V] as would be measured with any multimeter between reference and measuring electrode.


pX calibration

From the Calibration menu the pX Calibration window window [Potentiometric, pX] is opened. This feature allows for a simple two-point linear calibration of pX (or –pX) as a function of recorded voltage, using data ranges marked for calibration [Select marks] or known pX values, see O2k-calibration and pH calibration.


Calibrations for different signal types: There is only one set of calibration values for each pX channel, irrespective of the connected electrode. If a pX channel was calibrated for a pH electrode, these values will initially also be used to calculate the calibrated signal when the pH electrode is exchanged for a TPP+ electrode. Even when observing only the raw (not the calibrated) signal, the time derivative (Slope pX) will be calculated from the calibrated signal, which might lead to confusion when the time derivative is used to access stability or signal drift. It is, therefore, suggested to set the calibrated signal to the raw signal whenever the raw signal is to be used as the primary data source.
PX calibration window.JPG
Calibration values from other files can be imported with Copy from file in the pX calibration window.


Calculate proton production in DatLab

Note: Requires DatLab 5 at a minimum
Proton production rates can be calculated in real-time during data acquisition. Select the menu [Flux/Slope]/[Proton Flux].
  1. Determining the buffering capacity of the medium:
    1. Calibrate the pH electrode, observe the calibrated pH signal.
    2. Fill TIP syringes with diluted acid or base.
    3. Start a slow injection of acid or base into the media (no sample present).
    4. Place a mark on a stable region of the slope plot of the calibrated pH signal 'pX slope".
    5. Go to [Plots]/[Proton Flux].
    6. The buffering capacity is calculated by DatLab and can be used for calculations of biological proton flow in the same file or noted down and used in subsequent experiments.
  2. Biological proton flux:
    1. Calibrate the pH electrodes.
    2. Observe the pH calibrated signal.
    3. Place marks on regions of interest on the pX slope plot. If you use the "pH" stat" see above to keep the pH value in the desired limit. For setting marks, make sure you exclude times during which base was injected.
    4. Select [Flux/Slope] / [Proton Flux].
    5. Enter the buffering capacity in the appropriate field or use the feature in the upper part of the window to calculate the buffering capacity from a calibration experiment in the same file.
    6. Press [OK].
    7. A new plot "Proton Flux" is now available in [Graph]/[Select Plots] (right at the end of the list. You can now chose to display this plot e.g. instead of the pX slope plot by selecting its check box and de-selecting the check box of the "pX slope" plot.
Known issues: DatLab always calculates a new buffering capacity from the input in the upper part of the window and does not remember the value from previous files. Therefore, if the determination of buffering capacity was done in a different Datlab file the value has to manually entered.


Specifications

Specifications provided by OROBOROS INSTRUMENTS for quality control of pH electrodes:
  • Drift (after 45 min stabilization, integrated over 5 minutes, 37 °C, 2 mM buffering capacity): <= 20 µpH/s.

pH-Stat

One approach we have developed is to use the TIP to run in a "pH stat" mode, i.e. keeping the pH constant by a feedback controlled automatic injection of base. Besides keeping the pH in the desired range this can actually be used to determine proton flow from the amount of base injected, circumventing the determination of buffering capacity, see below. The "pH-Stat" allows using very weakly buffered media (2 mM buffering substances) and might even make buffering obsolete. The feedback modus of the TIP can be used in two ways to achieve a pH-Stat modus:
  • pH-Stat_strict: This program keeps the pH value strictly between user defined upper and lower limits. The difference between the upper and lower limit will determine the time between injections depending on the current proton flow. Therefore, the time between injections may vary drastically with changing proton fluxes.


  • pH-Stat_interval: This program adjusts the pH value in certain time intervals back to the upper limit. The difference between the upper and lower limit is set extremely small but a defined minimum pause between injections of e.g. 180 s is defined. Therefore, usually a base injection will be done every 3 minutes and the pH value will oscillate between the upper limit and some (proton flux dependent) lower limit. The lower limit set in the program has no significance because the minimum pause time will not have elapsed when the lower limit is met.
While the pH-Stat_strict is necessary to keep the pH value in a precisely defined range the pH-Stat_interval program ensures defined periods undisturbed by any injection of base. Such periods are necessary for the calculation of proton flow from the observed pH change and theoretically also for measuring respiration (however, if a 100 mM KOH the disturbance of the oxygen signal by the small amounts of KOH added was usually very small).
TIP2k setups in the DatLab template file DLTemplates_pH.dlt and Spreadsheet (e.g. Excel) templates for determining proton form base injections are available for download: File:DLTemplates.dlt. Please note that of course the more straightforward calculation of proton flows from the measured pH slope is also possible while operating in pH-Stat mode!

Applications

For simultaneous measurement of O2 and pH, we refer to the classical literature on bioenergetics and the discovery of the chemiosmotic coupling mechanism, the quantification of H+/O2 stoichiometric ratios for proton pumping (Peter Mitchell). Other groups (e.g. SE_Lund_Elmer E) have used the pH electrode in the O2k in conjunction with a study of mitochondrial permeability transition.
The majority of novel applications will address the problem of aerobic glycolysis in living cells, using the measurement of proton production as an indirect but continuous record of lactate production and corresponding acidification of the medium, while simultaneously monitoring oxygen concentration and oxygen consumption. In a well buffered culture medium, the pH change is extremely small relative to the amount of protons (lactic acid) produced, hence a low-buffering capacity medium needs to be applied. A titration of acid (lactic acid or HCl) into the low-buffering capacity medium yields the pH-dependent buffering capacity (Delta H+ added/Delta H+ measured by the pH electrode). Under various metabolic conditions, lactic acid production is the dominant mechanism causing acidification, hence the pH measurement is a good indirect indicator of aerobic glycolysis.

Demo Experiment with simulated proton flow

PH PS demofile 6.png


Medium: imidazole buffered medium, see above
  1. Calibration steps (for calculating buffering capacity): 30, 90, 150 HCl pmol/(s mL): TIP 1 mmol/L HCl, pump speed 0.06, 0.18, 0.3 µL/s
  2. Simulated proton flow 30,90,150 pmol HCl/(s mL) in pH stat mode: The pH value was held inside narrow limits by using the TIP in pH stat mode. The proton flow was simulated using a second TIP



Questions.jpg


Click to expand or collaps


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Titration-Injection-microPump.jpg
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Titration-Injection microPump TIP2k manual.
2021-07-08

MitoPedia O2k and high-resolution respirometry: O2k hardware, O2k-Open Support