A hollow fiber device was utilized to perform a dialysis culture for E. coli. Acetic acid inhibition on the growth of E. coli was relieved by dialyzing the acid from broth into a dialysate reservoir. The rate of acetic acid formation was very sensitive to the concentration of glucose and dissolved oxygen. Therefore it was found that the glucose permeation rate should be balanced with the oxygen supply rate. Specific growth rate of E. coli was determined by the glucose permeation rate through membrane. Under a low permeation rate, acetic acid formation was depressed in accordance with high dissolved oxygen concentration as well as low glucose concentration.