Photonic tools for evaluating the growth of diatom colonies during long-term batch cultivation

Abstract Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic microalgae with a nanostructured silica cell wall – frustule. Diatoms, considered one of the most abundant and ecologically important phytoplankton groups, can also be easily grown in laboratory used for different applications. With long-term cultivation, it is essential to monitor their growth properly; therefore, we proposed new, fast easy-to-use methods based on absorption fluorescence diatom chromophores. The average radiant efficiency culture Achnanthidium sibiricum obtained using IVIS SpectrumCT In vivo Imaging system increased up 45 days after which observed steady decrease. highest photoacoustic signal diatoms mixed an agarose gel excited by 532 nm laser was recorded cultivation. results good agreement spectra during 100-day cultivation period. Thus, photonic have proven effective monitoring expanding possibilities growing collecting various purposes.