A differential refractive index detector was used for monitoring glucose contents in textile processing solutions. The sensitivity of the device was high enough to measure 0.05％ aqueous glucose solution that could not be measured by normal refractive index measurement. The device was set to monitor glucose concentration continuously in real time by measuring differential refractive index and calibrated by standard glucose solutions in a range of 0.1 to 1.0%. The possibility of industrial application of the device was demonstrated by real-time monitoring of glucose concentration in textile processing solutions such as desizing bath and cellulase treatment bath. Both of solutions contained glucose as a major degraded product. The device would be able to control the weight loss of cellulosic fiber during cellulase treatment since the amount of degraded products in a processing bath is proportional to its weight loss.
