Application of dielectric spectroscopy to unravel the physiological state of microorganisms: current state, prospects and limits

Microbial physiology is an essential characteristic to be considered in the research and industrial use of microorganisms. Conventionally, the study of microbial physiology has been limited to carrying out qualitative and quantitative analysis of the role of individual components in global cell behaviour at a specific time and under certain growth conditions. In this framework, groups of observable cell physiological variables that remain over time define the physiological states. Recently, with advances in omics techniques, it has been possible to demonstrate that microbial physiology is a dynamic process and that, even with low variations in environmental culture conditions, physiological changes in the cell are provoked. However, the changes cannot be detected at a macroscopic level, and it is not possible to observe these changes in real time. As an alternative to solve this inconvenience, dielectric spectroscopy has been used as a complementary technique to monitor on-line cell physiology variations to avoid long waiting times during measurements. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art application of dielectric spectroscopy to unravel the physiological state of microorganisms, its current state, prospects and limitations during fermentation processes. Key points • Summary of the state of the art of several issues of dielectric spectroscopy. • Discussion of correlation among dielectric properties and cell physiological states. • View of the potential use of dielectric spectroscopy in monitoring bioprocesses.