AbstractThis work deals with some sliding mode (SM) and adaptive sliding‐mode control (SMC) strategies for a class of nonlinear biotechnological processes. First, a dynamical SM‐based feedback strategy is designed in order to ensure the asymptotic output stabilization of nonlinear bioprocesses. The control law design is done by means of a combination between the exact linearization approach and the SMC. Second, an adaptive SMC strategy is derived for this class of bioprocesses. In order to deal with the parametric uncertainties of the bioprocesses, the adaptive form of the SMC law is designed by means of direct, overparameterized adaptive control techniques available for linearizable systems. The paper also presents the implementation of the proposed control strategies for two typical bioprocesses belonging to the studied nonlinear class. The first prototype process takes place into a Continuous Stirred Tank Bioreactor, and the second is a lipase production process that takes place inside a Fed‐Batch Bioreactor. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.