Rapid algal lipid measurement during biofuel feedstock cultivation will enable real-time modification of operational parameters. In this work, we compare phenomenological and model-based approaches for relating the dielectric properties of algae suspensions to cellular lipid content. As seen in Fig. 1, algae suspensions with increased lipid accumulation due to nitrogen starvation exhibit decreased critical frequencies in their scattering parameter spectra. This is consistent with expected changes for theoretical cells with decreased cytoplasmic conductivity due to lipid accumulation (Fig. 2). 

Quantitative in situ measurement of algal lipid content via dielectric spectroscopy

245th National Meeting (2013)

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