Biosensors in bioprocess monitoring and control: Current trends and future prospects

Fermentation processes are complex systems, with many interacting variables. Continuous monitoring of parameters such as pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels, with direct feedback to control systems, is standard even in the smallest bioreactors and the enabling technologies are well established. Monitoring of other parameters, such as the levels of substrates and products, is also extremely useful but presents greater difficulties. Products and metabolites can be monitored off-line by analysing samples using techniques such as HPLC, GC or ELISA, but this presents inevitable delays. In this chapter, we will examine the potential benefits offered by biosensors for process monitoring.