Cultivations of Streptomyces peucetius in two types of medium were monitored on-line using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer combined with an attenuated total reflection probe. The quantitative measurements of the glucose, starch and acetate concentrations were implemented using partial least squares calibration models. These were regressed on spectral and concentration information obtained by adding together single constituent spectra of the main constituents in the medium according to a full factorial design. The accuracy achieved was considered to be satisfactory, with an average root mean square error of prediction of 1.5 g/l for glucose and 0.25 g/l for acetate. The methodology used is considered to be a rapid technique for generation of calibration data, and a step towards the use of library type data for calibration purposes in quantitative FTIR spectroscopy applications in bioprocesses.