JP2011182731A - Automatic apparatus for measuring growth yield of algae - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new automatic apparatus for measuring the growth yield of algae in which a plurality of samples can simply be cultured under uniform conditions for the algae, and the growth yield of each sample with time can automatically be monitored. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic apparatus for measuring the growth yield of the algae includes: a plurality of culture vessels; circulating and transferring means for circulating and transferring the culture vessels; RGB spectrophotometric measuring means disposed on a transfer path of the circulating and transferring means; a culture light source; and ventilating means for ventilating and stirring a culture liquid in the culture vessels. The RGB spectrophotometric measuring means includes: a measuring light source for irradiating the successively transferred culture vessels with measuring light; an RGB component detecting part for detecting the measuring light which transmits through the culture vessels; and a light detection signal output part for outputting a light detection signal for each RGB component of the detected measuring light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an algae culture apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for automatically measuring the amount of algal growth over time.

  In eutrophic lakes and dam lakes, large numbers of blue sea bream may occur during the summer. Most of the sea lions are composed of poisonous cyanobacteria such as Microkistis and moldy odor producing cyanobacteria such as Formidium, which significantly deteriorate the water environment. In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-66549 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique of adding a heavy metal chelate to a water area to eliminate growth limiting factors in order to suppress the growth of algae. However, prior to the application of such a technique, a technique for predicting the occurrence of harmful cyanobacteria in the target water area in advance is required.

The generation of cyanobacteria can be predicted by measuring the algae production potential of the aquatic environment. The potential of such algae production (Algal Growth
As a test for measuring (Potential), an AGP test, which is a kind of bioassay method for which a standard method has been established in the United States, is known. In the AGP test, a specific algae is inoculated into natural water or drainage water, and the maximum growth (dry weight: mg / mL) of the cultured algae is measured by optimizing physical conditions such as light and temperature. This is used as an index of algae productivity. Furthermore, according to the AGP test, a plurality of culture systems in which different nutrient substances such as phosphorus, nitrogen, iron and the like are added to the test water are prepared, and AGP measurement is performed on each system, whereby cyanobacteria in the water area is prepared. Identify growth limiting factors.

  However, when the AGP test is performed for a plurality of culture conditions, a considerable number of cultures are required to ensure statistical significance, and a large space is required if this is performed in an Erlenmeyer flask. In addition, as the number of culture vessels increases, it becomes difficult to make the light irradiation conditions uniform, and all the culture vessels need to be stirred regularly, and a great deal of effort is required to maintain an appropriate culture environment. Cost.

  In addition, in the AGP measurement, it is necessary to monitor the amount of growth over time in order to know that the algae has reached the maximum amount of growth. Furthermore, it is not possible to accurately predict the occurrence of cyanobacteria only with the maximum growth amount, and it is important to measure the specific growth rate of cyanobacteria based on the time-dependent monitoring of the growth amount. Since it was performed by taking out a certain amount of culture solution from the culture vessel and directly counting the number of cells contained therein, it was not easy to accurately monitor many culture systems.

JP 2009-66549 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and the present invention can easily culture a large number of samples under uniform conditions with respect to algae, and the time course of each sample. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus capable of automatically monitoring the amount of growth.

  The present inventors diligently investigated a device that can easily culture a large number of samples under uniform conditions and can automatically monitor the amount of growth of each sample over time for algae. As a result, the inventors have circulated and transferred a plurality of culture vessels, arranged RGB absorbance measuring means on the transfer path, and have found a configuration for measuring the absorbance of the sequentially transferred culture vessels, thereby achieving the present invention.

  That is, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for automatically measuring the growth amount of algae, comprising a plurality of culture containers, a circulation transfer means for circulating and transferring the culture containers, and the circulation and transfer means. RGB absorptiometry means disposed on the transfer path, a culture light source, and aeration means for agitating and agitating the culture solution in the culture vessel, wherein the RGB absorptiometry means is sequentially transferred to the culture A measurement light source for irradiating the container with measurement light, an RGB component detection unit for detecting the measurement light transmitted through the culture container, and light for outputting a light detection signal for each of the detected RGB components of the measurement light An algal growth amount automatic measuring device including a detection signal output unit is provided. In the present inventor, the measurement light source is driven at a frequency different from that of the culture light source, and the light detection signal output unit performs phase detection on the detected measurement light using the drive signal of the measurement light source as a reference signal. Detection means can be included. Further, in the present inventor, the circulating transfer means extends radially around a rotationally driven rotary shaft, and a fixing portion for fixing the culture vessel to the tip is formed side by side on the same circumference. The culture light source can be arranged so as to be axially symmetric with respect to the rotation axis. Further, in the present inventor, the culture vessel can be configured such that the walls through which the measurement light passes are parallel to each other, and the culture vessel is provided with a hollow portion constricted toward the lower end. The cross section can be configured to have a right triangle shape. Moreover, in this inventor, the said RGB absorptiometry means can be comprised as a thing provided with the housing | casing for shielding the disturbance light from the said culture light source. Further, according to the present invention, the algal growth amount automatic measurement device and the light detection signal input from the algae growth amount automatic measurement device are subjected to arithmetic processing, and the cell density for each culture vessel is determined over time. An algal growth amount automatic measurement system is provided that includes an information processing device including a means for automatically acquiring the information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, for algae, a large number of samples can be easily cultured under uniform conditions, and the amount of growth of each sample over time can be automatically monitored. A novel measuring device is provided.

The figure which shows the algal growth amount automatic measurement system of this embodiment. The figure which shows the ventilation means in the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus of this embodiment. The figure which shows the culture container in the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus of this embodiment. The figure which shows the RGB absorptiometry means in the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus of this embodiment. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus of this embodiment. The functional block diagram of the algal growth amount automatic measurement system of this embodiment. The figure which shows the phase detection output for every RGB component. The figure which shows the relationship between a cell density (cell / mL) and the light absorbency (O.D.) for every RGB component.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same reference numerals are used for common elements, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 shows an algal growth amount automatic measurement system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The algae growth amount automatic measurement system 100 includes an algae growth amount automatic measurement device 10 and an information processing device 50 (hereinafter referred to as a PC 50) configured by a personal computer or the like. The algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus 10 includes a plurality of culture containers 20, a circulation transfer means 30 for circulating and transferring the culture containers 20, and an RGB absorbance measurement means 40, and these elements form a sterilization space. It is arranged in the housing 12.

  The circulatory transfer means 30 includes a plurality of supports 36 that extend radially around a rotation shaft 34 that is rotationally driven by a rotation drive means 32 (hereinafter referred to as the rotation motor 32) constituted by a rotation motor 32 or the like. It consists of The support 36 extends radially so as to equally divide a circumference C (shown by a broken line) around the rotation axis 34, and the culture vessel 20 is fixed near the tip of each support 36. A culture vessel fixing part (not shown) is formed on the same circumference. As a result, the plurality of culture containers 20 fixed to each culture container fixing portion are arranged side by side at equal intervals on the same circumference. In this state, the rotating shaft 34 is rotationally driven, and each culture vessel 20 is circulated and transferred in the direction of the arrow in the figure. In addition, the circulation transfer means in this inventor is not limited to the aspect shown in FIG. 1, What kind of means may be sufficient if it is the structure which can implement | achieve the transfer path | route which circulates.

  On the other hand, the RGB absorbance measuring means 40 is a means for irradiating the culture vessel 20 with light and detecting the transmitted light. The RGB absorptiometry means 40 is arranged at an appropriate position on the circumference where a plurality of culture vessels 20 are arranged (that is, on the transfer path of the culture vessels 20), and as a result, each culture vessel 20 that is circulated and transferred. Are sequentially placed at positions that block the optical path of the measurement light of the RGB absorbance measurement means 40. The RGB absorptiometry means 40 generates a light detection signal that correlates with the cell density of the culture solution and transmits it to the PC 50. The PC 50 executes processing for calculating the algae growth amount over time using the light detection signal.

  The inside of the housing 12 of the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus 10 is preferably adjusted so that the light irradiation conditions and the temperature conditions are uniform for all the culture vessels 20. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of fluorescent lamps 14 as culture light sources are arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference around the rotation axis 34 and inside the circumference where the plurality of culture vessels 20 are arranged. All the culture vessels 20 that are installed and circulated are always placed under the same light irradiation conditions. In order to always maintain the same light irradiation condition for all the culture vessels 20, a plurality of culture light sources may be arranged so that their positions are symmetric with respect to the rotation axis 34. A single culture light source may be disposed at an appropriate position on the rotation axis 34.

  Furthermore, the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a venting unit for ventilating the culture solution in each culture vessel 20. FIG. 2 is a view showing aeration means 60 provided in the algal growth amount automatic measuring device 10 of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 (a) shows a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 2 (b) shows a top view thereof. Indicates. In FIG. 2 (b), only two supports 36 are shown for the sake of space.

  The ventilation means 60 is connected to an air supply means 62 constituted by an air compressor, a ventilation coupler 64 connected to the air supply means 62 via a ventilation pipe 63, and connected to the ventilation coupler 64 via a ventilation pipe 65. An annular vent pipe 66 and a vent pipe 68 prepared for each support 36 are configured. The ventilation coupler 64 includes a coupler fixing portion 64a that is fixed to the rotary motor 32 side, and a coupler rotating portion 64b that rotates together with the rotating shaft 34. Between the rotating shaft 34 and the coupler fixing portion 64a, and Between the coupler fixing part 64a and the coupler rotation part 64b, it is comprised so that air may not leak by a mechanical seal, respectively. Further, on the upper surface of the annular vent pipe 66, a number of connectors 67 are formed side by side corresponding to the support 36, and the vent pipe 68 is connected to the connector 67. The aeration tube 68 extends through the inside of the support 36, and an end portion thereof is inserted into the culture vessel 20 fixed to the culture vessel fixing portion 37. The vent pipe 68 can be provided with a variable valve 69 for controlling the ventilation amount. According to the aeration means 60 having the above-described configuration, the air sent from the air supply means 62 passes through the aeration pipe 63, the aeration coupler 64, the aeration pipe 65, the annular aeration pipe 66, and the aeration pipe 68. 20 inside.

  Next, the culture container in the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a view showing a culture vessel 20 which is a preferred embodiment of the culture vessel in the present invention, and FIG. 3 (a) is a front sectional view thereof. The culture container 20 includes a container 22 formed of a material having high light transmittance (for example, glass) and a lid 23 formed of polycarbonate or the like, and an aeration tube 68 formed of glass, stainless steel, or the like. It penetrates the lid 23 and is inserted inside. The culture vessel 20 in the present embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped cylindrical structure at the upper portion thereof as shown in the AA ′ cross-sectional view (shown by being surrounded by a broken line), and the measurement light of the RGB absorbance measuring means 40 is measured. Wall surfaces 22a and 22b through which P transmits are configured to be parallel to each other. Furthermore, the culture vessel 20 includes a hollow portion that is narrowed from the cylindrical structure toward the lower end of the vessel 22.

  FIG. 3B shows a side sectional view of the culture vessel 20. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the aeration tube 68 inserted into the culture vessel 20 is provided with a microorganism removal filter 72 in front of the ventilation tube 68 to prevent contamination in the culture vessel 20. Further, the culture container 20 is provided with an exhaust pipe 74 that penetrates the lid 23. The exhaust pipe 74 is provided in a sterilization container 78 that is sealed with a highly breathable stopper 76 (such as a cotton stopper or a silicone stopper). It is connected. In the present embodiment, the sterilization container 78 can be fixed at an appropriate position of the support 36.

  Moreover, in the culture container 20 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the cross section of the container 22 is a right triangle (the right triangle whose long side is parallel to the longitudinal wall of the container 22). The vent pipe 68 is inserted along the longer adjacent side of the right triangle, and the tip of the vent pipe reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the hollow portion where the container 22 is narrowed. As a result, a stable flow circulating in the container 22 is formed by bubbling bubbles generated from the bottom. Further, as shown in an enlarged view surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3B, the bottom T of the constricted hollow portion is formed to be rounded, so that algae sediment accumulates on the bottom T. It is prevented. That is, in this embodiment, by employing the culture vessel 20 and the aeration means 60 described above, the culture solution is automatically stirred, and the concentration distribution is always kept uniform. In the present embodiment, it is preferable to adjust the air flow rate so that bubbles of bubbling do not enter the optical path of the measurement light P.

  Next, the RGB absorptiometry means 40 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The RGB absorbance measurement means 40 includes a measurement light source 42, an optical system 43, a measurement chamber 44, an RGB component detection unit 45, and a light detection signal output unit 49. The measurement light source 42 is a light source for measuring absorbance, and is preferably a white LED that can emit all components of RGB, and is preferably converted into parallel light using a convex lens system or the like in order to improve straightness. The measurement chamber 44 is a housing for shielding disturbance light from the culture light source (fluorescent lamp), and has a space in which the culture vessel 20 can be accommodated. Note that a part (or all) of the side surface of the measurement chamber 44 is missing so as to secure a circulation transfer path for the culture vessel 20, and the upper surface thereof does not hinder the transfer of the culture vessel 20. It is composed of a rubber sheet 46 with slits.

  The light emitted from the measurement light source 42 is shaped into straight measurement light P through an appropriate optical system 43 configured by a lens 43a, a slit 43b, and the like, and irradiates the culture vessel 20 accommodated in the measurement chamber 44. Then, the light beam that has passed through this reaches the RGB component detection unit 45. The RGB component detector 45 includes a dichroic prism 47 similar to that used in the 3CCD video camera, and three photodiodes 48R, 48G, and 48B. The light beam transmitted through the culture vessel 20 is divided into an R component, a G component, and a B component by the dichroic prism 47, and each component is detected by the photodiodes 48R, 48G, and 48B, respectively. The light detection signal output unit 49 generates a light detection signal for each RGB component from the detection signal of the photodiode 48.

  Note that the measurement chamber 44 of the RGB absorptiometry means 40 has a part (or all) of the side surface thereof lacked in order to secure the circulation transfer path of the culture vessel 20 as described above, so that the inside thereof is completely removed. Since the light cannot be shielded, the light detection signal output unit 49 preferably has a configuration for eliminating the influence of disturbance light from the culture light source (fluorescent lamp). In this regard, in the present embodiment, a phase detection means for detecting the phase of the measurement light can be provided. In the present embodiment, the measurement light source 42 is driven by a sine wave of a predetermined frequency to modulate the light intensity, and then the phase detection means amplifies the output from the photodiode 48 (RGB), and the reference signal (modulated wave) Only the component that is synchronized with is extracted as a DC voltage signal. In this case, the frequency for modulating the measurement light source 42 is preferably separated from the frequency of the culture light source and not an integral multiple thereof. By performing such treatment, the influence of disturbance light from the culture light source (fluorescent lamp) can be completely eliminated. The above-described phase detection means can be configured by a lock-in amplifier or the like. The DC voltage signal for each RGB component detected by the photodiode 48 and passed through the phase detection means is converted to a light detection signal for each RGB component by an A / D converter (not shown) and transmitted to the PC 50. The basic configuration of the algal growth amount automatic measurement device 10 of the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the specific operation of the algal growth amount automatic measurement device 10 will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a view of the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus 10 as viewed from above. FIG. 5 shows a mode in which eight culture containers 20a to 20h are set, and the culture light source 14 and the like are omitted as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the circulating transfer means 30 is driven by two types of operation modes, a transfer mode and a measurement mode. In the transfer mode, as shown in FIG. 5A, the circulating transfer means 30 rotates at a constant angular velocity and transfers the culture vessel 20a in the direction of the arrow in the figure. When the transferred culture vessel 20a is accommodated in the measurement chamber 44 of the RGB absorbance measurement means 40, as shown in FIG. 5B, the operation mode of the circulation transfer means 30 is switched to the measurement mode, and a predetermined time (for example, , 1-3 minutes). Meanwhile, when light is irradiated from the measurement light source of the RGB absorbance measurement means 40 and light transmitted through the culture vessel 20a is detected by the photodiode, a light detection signal having a magnitude correlated with the cell density of the culture solution is sent to the PC 50. Sent.

  When the predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 5C, the circulation transfer means 30 rotates again at a constant angular velocity, and the culture vessel 20 a is delivered from the measurement chamber 44. In the same procedure, the culture containers 20b to 20h are sequentially accommodated in the measurement chamber 44, and the light detection signal having a magnitude correlated with the cell density in each culture container 20 is repeatedly transmitted to the PC 50. Switching of the operation mode of the circulating transfer means 30 and driving of the measurement light source of the RGB absorbance measuring means 40 can be collectively controlled by the PC 50. In the present embodiment, the culture vessel 20 accommodated in the measurement chamber 44 can be specified by assigning an identifier to each support 36 of the circulation transfer means 30 and managing it on the PC 50 side. It is configured as follows.

  Next, processing executed by the algal growth amount automatic measurement system 100 in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG. In the RGB absorptiometry means 40, the measurement light P irradiated from the measurement light source 42 and transmitted through the culture vessel 20 is detected by the RGB component detection unit 45, and the light detection signal output unit 49 detects each RGB component from the detection signal. A light detection signal is generated and transmitted to the PC 50.

  The light detection signal for each RGB component transmitted from the RGB absorbance measurement means 40 is input to the absorbance calculation unit 51 of the PC 50. On the other hand, the circulation transfer means drive control unit 52 includes switching of the operation mode of the circulation transfer means 30 by using an output from an angle sensor provided in the circulation transfer means 30 or an infrared sensor provided in the measurement chamber 44. While performing the drive control, the information for specifying the culture vessel 20 being measured, that is, the identifier of the support 36 in which the culture vessel 20 accommodated in the measurement chamber 44 is set is notified to the absorbance calculation unit 51. . The measurement light source drive control unit 53 controls the drive of the measurement light source 42 based on the timing signal notified from the circulation transfer unit drive control unit 52.

  The absorbance calculation unit 51 stores a light detection signal (incident light intensity) measured for a reference solution that does not contain cells, and the absorbance calculation unit 51 measures the light detection signal (incident light intensity) and RGB absorbance measurement. The absorbance for each RGB component is calculated from the light detection signal (transmitted light intensity) input from the means 40. The absorbance calculation unit 51 associates the absorbance calculated for each RGB component with the identifier of the support 36 (that is, the culture vessel 20) and the measurement time notified from the circulation transfer means drive control unit 52, and the cell density calculation unit. 54.

  The cell density calculation unit 54 searches the cell density calculation formula database 55 and acquires a cell density calculation formula corresponding to the algae to be measured. The cell density calculator 54 calculates the cell density (cell / mL) by substituting the absorbance value for each RGB component given from the absorbance calculator 51 into the cell density calculation formula obtained from the cell density calculation formula database 55. To do. The calculated cell density (cell / mL) is recorded over time in the cell density storage unit 56 in association with the identifier of the support 36 (ie, the culture vessel 20) and the measurement time.

  The cell density calculation formula can be derived by the following procedure. First, a standard algae culture solution is prepared, and the cell density is calculated using a direct counting method or the like. Next, by measuring the absorbance of a plurality of samples obtained by serially diluting this reference culture solution, a multivariate linear regression analysis is performed between the absorbance (three explanatory variables) and cell density (target variable) for each RGB component. A cell density calculation formula defined as a function of absorbance for each RGB component is derived. The derived cell density calculation formula is accumulated and managed in the cell density calculation formula database 55 for each algae species to be measured.

  The measurement result generation unit 57 uses the cell density recorded in the cell density storage unit 56 over time to obtain information such as the cell growth rate (cell / mL · h) and the cell increase rate (%). Generated as a measurement result upon request. The generated measurement result information is output and displayed by the output unit 58 and recorded in a recording device such as a hard disk as necessary.

  As described above, the present invention has been described with the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and as long as the operations and effects of the present invention are exhibited within the scope of embodiments that can be considered by those skilled in the art. It is included in the scope of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, although the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus of the present invention will be described more specifically using examples, the present invention is not limited to the examples described later.

  The measurement performance of the algal growth amount automatic measurement apparatus of the present invention was verified by the following procedure. First. An algal growth amount automatic measuring device similar to that described with reference to FIGS. In the algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus of this example, white LED light as a measurement light source was modulated with a 1601 Hz sine wave and phase-detected. Further, the circulating transfer means 30 was controlled to rotate in 16.9 minutes by setting the measurement mode time to 8 seconds and the moving angular velocity in the transfer mode to about 0.0976 rad / sed.

(Test cyanobacteria)
Test algae (Microcystis Viridis) were grown in the M11 medium until the stationary phase was reached, and the cell density of the culture was calculated. The cell density was calculated from the number of cells visually counted using a TATAI calculator.

This cyanobacteria culture solution (5.86 × 10 ⁵ cell / mL) is prepared in 6 stages with RO water (reverse osmosis membrane water) (
Prepare 6 types of diluted solution diluted with 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x) and RO water, and culture vessels (made of glass, cell) containing 60mL each of these 7 samples. Measurement was performed by setting the optical path length: 2.5 cm 2) on an algal growth amount automatic measuring device.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the phase detection output for each RGB component detected for each sample. As shown in FIG. 7, the phase detection output increased as the dilution factor increased (that is, as the cell density decreased) for any component of RGB.

Here, each output voltage for each RGB component in the diluent sample _{R V,} G V, and _{B V,} the output voltage of each of the RGB components and _{R0 V,} G0 _V, B0 V respectively in RO water sample, RGB components each When the absorbance of each _{a R, a G,} and _{a B,} the optical path length of the cell culture vessel used is a 2.5 cm, the absorbance of each component of RGB _{(a R, a G, a} B) is of the formula 1 Can be represented by

Next, the cell density (cell / mL) of each sample is calculated from the dilution factor (1 ×, 2 ×, 4 ×, 8 ×, 16 ×, 32 ×), and the output voltage of each sample is substituted into the above formula. The absorbance (A _R , A _G , A _B ) was determined. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the relationship between the cell density (cell / mL) and the absorbance (OD) for each RGB component. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), cell density = about 1.0 × 10 ⁵
In the range up to cell / mL (absorbance = 0.4 OD), it was found that a proportional relationship was established between the absorbance and the cell density. Therefore, in the range where the proportional relationship is established, the results of multivariate linear regression analysis using the absorbance (A _R , A _G , A _B ) as explanatory variables and the cell density (cell / mL) as the objective variable are as follows. The cell density calculation formula shown can be derived.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Algae growth automatic measurement apparatus 12 ... Housing 14 ... Culture light source 20 ... Culture container 22 ... Container 23 ... Lid 30 ... Circulation transfer means 32 ... Rotation drive means 34 ... Rotating shaft 36 ... Support body 37 ... Culture container fixing | fixed part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 ... RGB absorptiometry means 42 ... Measurement light source 43 ... Optical system 44 ... Measurement room 45 ... RGB component detection part 46 ... Rubber sheet 47 ... Dichroic prism 48 ... Photodiode 49 ... Light detection signal output part 50 ... Information processing apparatus 51 ... absorbance calculation unit 52 ... circulation transfer means drive control unit 53 ... measurement light source drive control unit 54 ... cell density calculation unit 55 ... cell density calculation formula database 56 ... cell density storage unit 57 ... measurement result generation unit 58 ... output unit 60 ... Ventilation means 62 ... Air supply means 63, 65, 68 ... Ventilation pipe 64 ... Ventilation coupler 66 ... Annular ventilation pipe 67 ... Connector 69 ... Variable Valve 72 ... Microorganism removal filter 74 ... Exhaust pipe 76 ... Stopper 78 ... Sterilization container 100 ... Algae growth amount automatic measurement system

Claims (9)

A device for automatically measuring the growth of algae,
A plurality of culture vessels;
Circulating and transferring means for circulating and transferring the culture container;
RGB absorptiometry means arranged on the transfer path of the circulation transfer means;
A culture light source;
Including aeration means for aeration and stirring of the culture solution in the culture vessel,
The RGB absorptiometry means is:
A measurement light source for irradiating measurement light to the culture containers that are sequentially transferred, an RGB component detection unit for detecting the measurement light transmitted through the culture container, and a light for each of the detected RGB components of the measurement light Including a light detection signal output unit that outputs a detection signal,
Algae growth automatic measurement device.   The measurement light source is driven at a frequency different from that of the culture light source, and the light detection signal output unit includes phase detection means for phase-detecting the detected measurement light using a drive signal of the measurement light source as a reference signal. Item 2. The algal growth amount automatic measuring device according to item 1.   The circulating transfer means includes a plurality of supports that extend radially around a rotation shaft that is rotationally driven, and a fixing portion for fixing the culture vessel at the tip is formed on the same circumference. The algal growth amount automatic measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The algal growth amount automatic measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the culture light source is arranged to be axially symmetric with respect to the rotation axis.   The algal growth amount automatic measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the culture container is configured such that walls through which the measurement light passes are parallel to each other.   The algal growth amount automatic measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the culture container includes a hollow portion that narrows toward a lower end.   The algal growth amount automatic measuring device according to claim 6, wherein the culture container has a cross-sectional shape of a right triangle.   The algae growth amount automatic measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the RGB absorptiometry means includes a housing for shielding disturbance light from the culture light source.   An algal growth amount automatic measurement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and an arithmetic processing based on the light detection signal input from the algae growth amount automatic measurement apparatus, An algal growth amount automatic measurement system including an information processing device including means for acquiring cell density over time.