Measuring the Permittivity of Liposome and Yeast Using a 3D-printed Electrode-replaceable Measuring Cell

Abstract

Although traditionally used primarily for assessing the physical properties of solids, dielectric spectroscopy has found new utility in quantifying microorganisms in liquids. The lipid bilayer membranes of bacteria and viruses possess capacitive properties, and the electrical capacitance is directly proportional to the surface area of the membrane. This allows the use of permittivity as a measure of membrane capacitance and, consequently, enables estimation of the quantity of microorganisms in a given solution containing cells such as erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and protoplasts [1,2]. Hence, dielectric spectroscopy is increasingly being utilized for quantifying a variety of microorganisms including Escherichia coli, yeasts, and plant viruses [3][4][5][6]. This approach facilitates the development of a non-destructive, label-free assays that can be used for direct assessment of a wide