A simple and rapid method for separation and isolation of marine algal species from naturally evolved populations

ABSTRACT

To improve the study of mixed microalgal populations, three naturally evolved marine microalgal cultures were subjected to a light crushing mechanical treatment using a silicon spatula coupled with zymolyase treatment at four concentrations: 5, 10, 20 and 25 U/ml, for 15, 30, 45 and 60 min before being observed under a microscope. The enzyme concentration of 20 U/ml after 45 min reduces the size of macroscopic microalgal aggregates and improves the microscopic observation of the different microalgal species comprising the population. There was no improvement using the higher enzyme concentration. This paper proposes a new approach to the study of naturally evolved microalgal populations which is useful for distinguishing the morphology of the different species present in the population and allowing for the identification by classical keys, and also to obtain a pure culture from an inoculum of mixed species by using a micromanipulator for cell counting.

RESPONSIBLE EDITOR:

• Dan Franklin

KEYWORDS:

• Mixed microalgal populations
• natural evolution
• zymolyase
• mechanical treatment
• algal EPS

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Prof. Athena Economou-Amilli for her kind help in microalgae identification.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the project funded by the European Union under grant MED-ALGAE – Production of biodiesel from algae in selected Mediterranean countries, Project reference number I-B/2.2/099.