ABSTRACT
Electroporation is more commonly termed as pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment in food technology. When dealing with electroporation, measuring is crucial for achieving effective electroporation. Quality assurance can only be provided by appropriate measurements. Biological cells can be electroporated in suspension, attached, or in tissue. Cell membrane electroporation and consequently increased membrane permeability is controlled by the electric field strength. In case of ex vivo electroporation of tissues, or in vivo electroporation, the electric field can no longer be considered homogenous because tissue is a highly inhomogeneous conductor. Some biological materials are also anisotropic, and therefore electric field orientation must also be considered. This chapter focuses on devices available for electrochemotherapy (ECT), irreversible electroporation (IRE), and gene electrotransfer. The most established ECT, IRE, is used for tissue ablation and gene electrotransfection. Microalgae are currently the most intensely investigated feedstock for biomass production with electroporation; they are getting implemented in biofuel applications.
