Online analysis methods for monitoring of bioprocesses

Analytical systems have been developed in a large variety for different applications in life science. Online analysis of bioprocesses is of increasing interest because it helps to reduce the time delay for offline sample preparation and following analyses via conventional methods. Continuous monitoring of reaction components is a prerequisite for direct control of biotransformations. Thus it enables production control in order to enhance processes, as well as for quality control, allowing an improved ecologic and economic process management. In recent years several procedures for online monitoring have been reported. This review deals mainly with applications of infrared (NIR and MIR)-, fluorescence-, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-, ultraviolet (UV)-spectroscopy and focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) for online monitoring of bioprocesses.