Application of an on-line turbidimeter for the automation of fed-batch cultures.

Recent advances in the technology of continuous in situ turbidity measurements in microbial cultivations are reviewed. Some characteristics of commercially available on-line laser turbidimeters are estimated in relation to requirements of sensors for microbial cultures. A system for the automation of fed-batch cultures using an on-line turbidimeter is proposed. Experimental data are presented concerning fed-batch cultures grown on synthetic and natural complex media. In situ turbidity data were found to be particularly useful for the automation of the feeding of natural complex nutrient solutions by converting the data into dry cell mass concentration and at the same time utilizing the instantaneous data on the culture broth volume through a computer.