Real Time Assessment of Microbial Activity in Paper Coatings and Additives, 2002 Technology Summit Proceedings
S. Ramesh & R. Banks
Paper additive materials such as mineral slurries, starch, polymers, and coatings are highly prone to microbial attack. Uncontrolled growth of microorganisms in these materials has detrimental effects on the properties of the additives themselves and on the quality of finished paper. It is, therefore, important to monitor and control the growth of microorganisms in these additive materials quickly and effectively.
A new method developed by Ondeo Nalco Company makes it possible to rapidly determine microbiological activity in opaque, light-scattering materials. A fluorogenic dye is added to samples. Fluorescence of the fluorogenic dye and the reacted fluorogenic dye is measured. This information is used to determine the microbiological status of the sample.
A custom built fluorometer was successfully tested in paper mills.
Real Time Assessment of Microbial Activity in Paper Coatings and Additives, 2002 Technology Summit P