A method for automatic determination of proteolytic activity during fermentation is described. Therefore the autoanalyzer ADM 300 of the PRUEFGERAETEWERK MEDINGEN F.R.G. is connected to a fermenter. After filtration of the biomass, the culture filtrate is diluted and then incubated with casein solution (0.75%, p H 8.0, 55OC); low moleculare cleavage products are separated from higher molecular ones by dialysis. The absorbence is measured a t 600 nm after addition of alkaline copper tartrate and FOLIN solution. By use of different dilution rates, a range of 0 -32 units ml-1. may be measured. The coefficient of variation is 5.5.