On-Line Monitoring of Biological Parameters in Microalgal Bioprocesses Using Optical Methods

Microalgae are promising sources of fuels and other chemicals. To operate microalgal cultivations efficiently, process control based on monitoring variables is needed. On-line sensing has important advantages over off-line analytical methods in minimizing the measurement delay. Consequently, on-line, in-situ sensors preferred. In this respect, optical occupy a central position since they versatile readily implemented an on-line format. biotechnological processes, measurements performed three phases (gaseous, liquid solid (biomass)), monitored can be classified as physical, chemical biological. technologies that rely standard industrial employed processes already well-established for physical environment algal cultivation. contrast, biological phase, whether biomass, intracellular or extracellular products, physiological state living cells, at earlier developmental stage focus review. much more difficult sometimes impossible must indirect extensive data processing. contrast to recent reviews, review concentrates current parameters suitable implementation. These include cell concentration, chlorophyll content, irradiance, lipid pigment concentration measured using NMR, IR spectrophotometry, dielectric scattering, multispectral methods. An part computer-aided form software sensors, use multi-parameter mathematical models, fuzzy logic artificial neural networks. future, will play increasing role real-time estimation because their flexibility extendibility.