The development and application of biosensing devices for bioreactor monitoring and control

Presently, few of the reported (bio)chemical sensor devices have found application in fermentation monitoring and control. Although many devices with desirable selectivities have been reported, few have demonstrated reliability sufficient to encourage significant and widespread application. Chemical sensors (ion-selective electrodes, amperometric detectors, piezoelectric, field-effect transistors, semiconductor, Optrode and optoelectronic sensors), biosensors (based on potentiometric, amperometric, field-effect transistor and conductiometric detectors) and physical detection methods are reviewed with the aim of highlighting the problems of their application in this area. Physical detection principles appear to show promise as reliable and direct monitoring principles. However, even the more reliable discrete (bio)chemical sensor devices require the development of on-line flow sampling and autocalibration methods to demonstrate the necessary reliability. Biosensor devices appear most problematical and it is concluded that continued development of more direct biosensing principles is likely to prove most fruitful.