Novel electrochemical sensor system for monitoring metabolic activity during the growth and cultivation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

The spontaneous immobilisation of the cells in the reaction vessel of the sensor by swelling dextrane polymers (Sephadex™) prior to measurement is the key to a fast, consistent signal. Even metabolically less active mammalian cells produce a reliable signal within a few minutes; this may open up future applications of the electrochemical sensor in closed loop process control not only for bacterial and fungal bioprocesses, but also in cell culture technology.