Automatic containment sampling of recombinant escherichia coli fermentations

A containment sampling system for shake flasks and fermentors has been developed from a blood collection system used in hospitals. The core of the system is a collection vial with a vacuum inside. When a needle connected to the fermentation fluid penetrates a rubber seal on the vial, a sample is withdrawn. The system has been developed in two versions, a manual method for shake flasks, and an automated version for fermentors including cool storage of samples. The sampling system offers the same safety for fermentation containment as the original system offers safety for patients and hospital staff. (c) 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.