How do I use the Ethanol sensor with a CO2 Gas sensor to measure fermentation?
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If you want to use a CO2 Gas Sensor, order code CO2-BTA, $249 and an Ethanol Sensor, order code ETH-BTA, $109 to show that CO2 gas and Ethanol are both produced during fermentation, you should use the following protocol. Please note that you will need a BioChamber 2000, order code BC-2000, $19, and a Stir Station, order code STIR, $129 with a magnetic stir bar.
1. Prepare and setup the Ethanol Sensor as described in the sensor booklet and connect it to Channel 1 of your interface.
2. If your CO2 sensor has a switch, set it to the High (0-100,000 ppm) setting and connect to Channel 2 of the interface.
3. Place a BioChamber 2000 mL container on a stir station. Place a magnetic stir bar in the chamber. Add 250 mL of warm water to the chamber and turn on the stir station. Make sure the stir bar is spinning at a medium speed.
4. Add 30 g of table sugar to the water in the chamber and allow it to dissolve.
5. Add one tablespoon of baker's yeast to the liquid in the chamber.
6. Using a gentle, twisting motion, place the Ethanol Sensor equipped with split stopper into one of the openings in the BioChamber. Important: Adjust the sensor so that the tip of the sensor is one cm above the level of the liquid.
7. Using a gentle, twisting motion, place the CO2 Gas Sensor in the other opening in the BioChamber.
8. Begin data-collection.
9. Determine the rate of CO2 gas and Ethanol vapor production using the Linear Fit features in your data-collection software.
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