Evaluation of the main economic characteristics of a narrow-thallus strain of Neoporphyra haitanensis

Abstract

It is highly desirable to cultivate elite species to increase their coverage and the industrial efficiency of the economically and ecologically important seaweed, Neoporphyra haitanensis. Here, the main economic characteristics of a narrow-thallus N. haitanensis strain (W28) isolated from a double-haploid population resulting from single somatic cell clone cultivation was analyzed, and the wild type (WT) and new cultivar (MF-2) N. haitanensis strains were used as controls. The average width of W28 thalli was only 0.90 cm after 20 d of cultivation, which was narrower by 0.88 cm and 0.2 cm than thalli of MF-2 and WT, respectively. However, the W28 growth rate (approximately 9.4 cm/d during the vigorous growth period) was greater than those of WT and MF-2, leading to the higher W28 yield. The W28 characteristics of a long growth period and easily released conchospores are similar to those of MF-2. Additionally, the WT thalli rotted when subjected to 30 °C, whereas the morphology of W28 thalli cells showed no obvious damage. Furthermore, the amino acid content in W28 thalli (at approximately 305 mg/g) was greater than those of the WT and MF-2 strains. In conclusion, the present study isolated a new candidate variety of N. haitanensis, with narrow thalli, a high yield (fast-growing), good taste, and high-temperature tolerance, that was also rich in pigments and amino acids. Thus, it met the market demands and global sustainability targets.