Microfluidic devices for electrochemical measurement of photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria Microcystis cells

Abstract

A microfluidic device with analytical chambers for electrochemical measurements has been employed to detect photosynthetic activity at single cell level. The flowing cells (Microcystis viridis) in a main channel are individually guided to the chamber with microelectrodes by an electrophoretic manipulation. The reduction current of oxygen was continuously monitored to determine the photosynthetic activity upon light irradiation. The average rates for oxygen generation were estimated and found to be 10-18 mol/s level. © 2012 The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry.