Monitoring of submerged bioprocesses

Monitoring is an important exercise in the operation of submerged bioproces ses and is a subject that has attracted intense research activity in recent years. In order to achieve optimal production or conversion, the factors t hat influence the performance of a bioprocess should be measured, preferabl y on-line, so that the process can be monitored in real-time and appropriat e control or remedial action implemented. Such measurements can be achieved either in situ or ex situ. Ideally, in situ approaches are desirable. Wher e such an option is difficult to implement, ex situ approaches with appropr iate sample handling techniques can be employed. In cases where direct anal ytical information is not available, inferential approaches can be adopted. In addition, analytical information not yet accessible on-line can be obta ined off-line. Computational techniques have enabled the compilation of mea surement data before utilizing the information for process diagnosis. Curre nt developments in the different measurement technologies are presented wit h a critical assessment of their potential application in industrial produc tion or process development.