Fast nonlinear region localisation for nonlinear dielectric spectroscopy of biological suspensions

The method allows researchers to detect simply and quickly the voltage and frequency ranges where the metabolic activity of yeasts is detectable. This method does not replace NLDS, and aims to reduce the time during which the electrodes are exposed to corrosion by high voltages. In this paper we applied AC overpotentials (10-630 mV) with frequencies in the range from 1 to 1000 Hz. Also, we measured current harmonic distortion produced by the nonlinearity of the interface. Changes in the transfer function were observed when yeast suspension was used. Apart from the nonlinear response typical of the EEI, we also observed the biological nonlinear behaviour. The changes in the transfer functions were assessed using the overlapping index which was defined in terms of the conditional probability. The methodology was contrasted favourably with Fourier analysis. This novel strategy has the advantages of simplicity, sensitivity, reproducibility and involves basic tools such as the usual measurement of current.