I have a microfluidic device having five outlet channels, and two inlets. I am flowing two nutrients through the 2 inlets (eg: say YPD(c1) and SD(c2)). The two nutrients are mixed in different proportions in the five channels. Hence, I want to quantify this mixing for each channel, that is, I want to find out how much of each media is there (may be concentration ratio, c1:c2) in each of the five mixtures formed in the five output channels.
Use fluorescein and DI water. Mix a high concentration as one input and clear DI as the other input. Image the fluorescence and quantify the ratio in each channel by the fluorescence intensity. You can even mix various concentrations for direct comparison. There may be some variation in the results with media if the viscosity of one is significantly different from the other. You could always do the same test with the fluorescein in the media. Just to check that your results are right, reverse the input or media with the fluorescein.
I agree with Ron's answer for general studies. From your question, it is unclear how the nutrients can be simulated by other fluids, and as Ron has mentioned, many factors like viscosity will play a role. Also not sure if the nutrients dissolve or remain in some particle form. A direct measurement may be useful to you. Utilise the nutrient mix in each channel to actually grow/feed/culture something, and compare this to known growth using each nutrient separately as a control. This way you should be able to obtain a ratio.
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