The response of IPTG induction was investigated through the monitoring of the alkali consumption rate and buffer capacity during the cultivation of recombinant E. coli BL21 (DE3) harboring the plasmid pRSET-LacZ under the control of lac promoter. The rate of alkali consumption increased along with cell growth, but declined suddenly after approximately 0.2 h of IPTG induction. The buffer capacity also declined after 0.9 h of IPTG induction. The profile of buffer capacity seems to correlate with the level of acetate production. The IPTG response was monitored only when introduced into the mid-exponential phase of bacterial cell growth. The minimum concentration of IPTG for induction, which was found out to be 0.1 mM, can also be monitored on-line and in-situ. Therefore, the on-line monitoring of alkali consumption rate and buffer capacity can be an indicator of the metabolic shift initiated by IPTG supplement, as well as for the physiological state of cell growth.