Fermentation Process Control Using A Quadrupole Process Mass Spectrometer

By Zbigniew T. Krieger, Ph.D., Vice President, Business Development
Extrel CMS, LLC

An integrated control system based on mass spectrometry can improve the efficiency of your fermentation process and ultimately increase your yield.

An increased need for real-time fast analysis of the fermentation process resulted in the growth of mass spectrometer use in the pharmaceutical industry. The major advantages offered by process mass spectrometers are their speed, precision, and accuracy, all of which can be used to improve process yields, avoid accidents, and check raw materials and product quality. Additionally, mass spectrometers are very flexible and can be generally used to quantify every sample component in the gas or vapor phase. This article describes the application of a quadrupole process mass spectrometer in the control of a batch fermentation process.