Simultaneous measurements of oxygen and heat rates are useful for the determination of thermodynamics and kinetics of metabolic and chemical reactions involving oxygen. Optrodes have not previously been used to measure oxygen inside calorimetric vessels. The optrode used in this study produces <2μW and can be used to make measurements in both gaseous and aqueous systems. An external syringe injection of air was used to calibrate the optrode, and zinc–air batteries were used to evaluate the system. Data on maple leaf buds were collected to demonstrate application to respiration measurements.