Device for sterile online measurement of the oxygen transfer rate in shaking flasks

The oxygen transfer rate (OTR) is the most suitable measurable parameter to quantify the physiological state of a culture of aerobic microorganisms si nce most metabolic activities depend on oxygen consumption. Online measurem ent of the oxygen transfer rate in stirred bioreactors is state of the art although technically difficult. However, the online determination of the ox ygen transfer rate in shaking bioreactors under sterile conditions has not been possible until recently. A newly developed measuring device eliminates this deficit. Extremely useful information about cultivating conditions an d the physiological state of microorganisms can be gained in early stages o f research and bioprocess development from many reactors operated in parall el. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.