Integrated set-up of sampling, sample treatment and assay of an intracellular protein during fermentation

A complete system for on-line sampling, sample handling and analysis of fermentation processes has been set up. The system is designed such that a sample is taken from the fermentor, the metabolism of microbial cells is instantaneously arrested, the cells are lysed in order to release intracellular compounds and in a subsequent binding assay the content of target molecules is monitored. The system is constructed based on the flow-injection analysis concept. Good agreement between on-line analysis and off-line analysis is reported.