Analysis of Bio‐Processes using Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Bio‐processes are ruled by the metabolism of the involved microorganisms. During the process, the metabolism of these microorganisms changes their environment and as a consequence, the metabolites produced by the microorganisms will change too. Therefore, those metabolites can be used to characterize such processes. Many of the metabolites are volatile or semi‐volatile organic compounds which can be identified and quantified with high temporal resolution and sufficient sensitivity using ion mobility spectrometry. The potential of this method, especially when multi‐capillary‐columns are used for rapid pre‐separation, is illustrated on several representative and successful examples such as beer fermentation control, wine characterization, identification of fungi and bacteria as well as quantification of their metabolites as a measure for the growth of the culture. Those examples, representing recent work of the ion mobility spectrometry group at ISAS – Institute for Analytical Sciences in Dortmund, Germany, illustrate the potential of ion mobility spectrometry for bio‐process control, on one hand, and the existing challenges, on the other.