The Effect of Two Buffers on Cell Yield of Nitzschla palea (Kutz.) W. Smith

ABSTRACT

Cultures of Nitzschia palea were grown in a modified Chu 10 medium over a pH range from 4.0 to 9.9. No growth occurred at pH 4.7 or below, but there was increased cell yield at pH 6.4 to 9.9. Cell yield of the diatoms at pH 7 was less than at pH 8.2. Diatoms did not survive in strongly buffered media at 5.0 g/1 or above, but did grow in media buffered at 0.63 g/1 or less. Nitzschia palea appears to be alkaliphilous.