In this paper, we present an adaptive extremum seeking control scheme for fed-batch bioreactors with Haldane kinetics. The proposed adaptive extremum seeking approach utilizes the structure information of the process kinetics to derive a seeking algorithm that drives the system states to the desired setpoints that maximize the biomass production. It assumes that only the substrate concentration is available for on-line measurement. Lyapunov stability is used in the design of the extremum seeking controller structure and the development of the parameter learning laws. The performance of the approach is illustrated via numerical simulations. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.