Biocalorimetric monitoring of photoautotrophic batch cultures

The same trend was detected using measurements of carbon dioxide and ammonium consumption. The carbon dioxide consumption rate was used to calculate the enthalpy increase in the culture broth during photoautotrophic growth. The maximum photosynthetic efficiency calculated from the enthalpy increase was higher than the one measured directly in the biocalorimeter: 16% as opposed to 14%. This discrepancy probably is related to a combination of factors which are discussed opening up possibilities for further improvement of this technique.