Optical Fiber pH and Dissolved Oxygen Sensors for Bioreactor Monitoring: A Review

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
• Sensor Technology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Real-time monitoring is crucial for bioprocessing efficiency and product quality.
• Conventional bioreactor sensors face challenges like calibration drift and limited spatial coverage.
• Optical fiber sensors present a viable alternative due to their sensitivity, remote capabilities, and compact size.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in optical fiber sensors for bioreactor monitoring.
• To focus on pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) sensing, with brief coverage of temperature and pressure.
• To compare different sensing mechanisms, materials, and architectures for bioreactor applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent progress in optical fiber sensing for bioprocessing.
• Comparison of various sensing mechanisms (e.g., fluorescence, absorption) and materials.
• Analysis of fiber architectures and integration strategies for laboratory and industrial bioreactors.

Main Results:

• Optical fiber sensors demonstrate high sensitivity, fast response times, and good stability for key parameters.
• Various materials and architectures are suitable for different bioreactor environments and scales.
• Successful integration strategies for in situ monitoring have been developed.

Conclusions:

• Optical fiber sensors are a promising technology for advanced bioreactor monitoring.
• Future trends include multi-parameter sensing, enhanced long-term reliability, and integration with Process Analytical Technology (PAT).
• These advancements pave the way for intelligent bioprocessing through data-driven control.