increase the frequency that the cells are mixed from high light at
the surface of the cultivation unit to darkness in the middle of the
culture. It has been known for a long time that increasing this
mixing frequency can increase the productivity [5].
7. Chambers with grid normally contain 1 ml and have 1000 grid
areas; thus, each grid area represents 1 μl making the calculation
of cells/ml ¼ counted cells  1000/grid areas. If you use fields
of view, you have to first establish the area of the field of view and
the volume that it represents based on the volume in the counting chamber.
8. In most cases, DW is the most straightforward measure of biomass.
However, depending on your purpose and/or species of algae, you
may want to calculate the AFDW. For example, when comparing
lipid content as percent of biomass, using AFDW could be a better
way of comparing different algal groups as, e.g., diatoms have
silicate frustules, which remain in the ash part after combustion.
Using lipids as percent of AFDW will give a more comparable data
between species and groups, e.g., if you are interested in what
fraction of the carbon is in the form of lipids. Be sure to mention
specifically what you use to normalize the data in any reporting of
the results.
References
1. Sheehan J, Dunahay T, Benemann J, Roessler P
(1998) A look back at the US Department of
Energy’s Aquatic Species Program: biodiesel
from algae. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Report NREL/TP-580-24190
2. Williams PJ lB, Laurens LML (2010) Microalgae
as biodiesel & biomass feedstocks: review &
analysis of the biochemistry, energetics & economics. Energy Environ Sci 3:554–590
3. Nalley JO, Stockenreiter M, Litchman E (2014)
Community ecology of algal biofuels: complementarity and trait-based approaches. Ind Biotechnol 10:191–201
4. Harrison PJ, Berges JA (2005) Marine culture
media. In: Andersen RA (ed) Algal culturing
techniques. Academic Press, Cambridge
5. Burlew JS (ed) (1953) Algal culture, from laboratory to pilot plant. Carnegie Institution of
Washington Publication, Washington, DC
Basic Methods for Isolating and Culturing Microalgae
39
the surface of the cultivation unit to darkness in the middle of the
culture. It has been known for a long time that increasing this
mixing frequency can increase the productivity [5].
7. Chambers with grid normally contain 1 ml and have 1000 grid
areas; thus, each grid area represents 1 μl making the calculation
of cells/ml ¼ counted cells  1000/grid areas. If you use fields
of view, you have to first establish the area of the field of view and
the volume that it represents based on the volume in the counting chamber.
8. In most cases, DW is the most straightforward measure of biomass.
However, depending on your purpose and/or species of algae, you
may want to calculate the AFDW. For example, when comparing
lipid content as percent of biomass, using AFDW could be a better
way of comparing different algal groups as, e.g., diatoms have
silicate frustules, which remain in the ash part after combustion.
Using lipids as percent of AFDW will give a more comparable data
between species and groups, e.g., if you are interested in what
fraction of the carbon is in the form of lipids. Be sure to mention
specifically what you use to normalize the data in any reporting of
the results.
References
1. Sheehan J, Dunahay T, Benemann J, Roessler P
(1998) A look back at the US Department of
Energy’s Aquatic Species Program: biodiesel
from algae. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Report NREL/TP-580-24190
2. Williams PJ lB, Laurens LML (2010) Microalgae
as biodiesel & biomass feedstocks: review &
analysis of the biochemistry, energetics & economics. Energy Environ Sci 3:554–590
3. Nalley JO, Stockenreiter M, Litchman E (2014)
Community ecology of algal biofuels: complementarity and trait-based approaches. Ind Biotechnol 10:191–201
4. Harrison PJ, Berges JA (2005) Marine culture
media. In: Andersen RA (ed) Algal culturing
techniques. Academic Press, Cambridge
5. Burlew JS (ed) (1953) Algal culture, from laboratory to pilot plant. Carnegie Institution of
Washington Publication, Washington, DC
Basic Methods for Isolating and Culturing Microalgae
39