Evaluation of a model for the detection of aerosol-containing protease in real-time using chromogenic substrates in the sampling fluid of a cyclone and a bubbler

A model previously developed for predicting the colour change in a liquid sampler containing a chromogenic substrate was tested for the detection of aerosols of the protease enzyme, alcalase. Aerosols were generated in a bioaerosol test chamber at 20°C and relative humidity of 40%. The detection system responded to changes in alcalase concentration in real time. The performance of a high flow rate Aerojet cyclone was contrasted with that of a low flow rate bubbler. The model was tested with both a constant aerosol concentration and also with the sudden release of an aerosol for a short time. It was found that the model needed correcting for fluid loss from both samplers. The model predicted the performance of the bubbler better than the cyclone. Possible reasons are discussed.