Identification of microalgae cultured in Bold\u2019s Basal medium from freshwater samples, from a high-rise city

Vimala Gana Valu,Punithavathy Manickavasagam,Kai Heng Tan,Hui Min Mak,Jen Yan New,Sarah Mei Ying Fun,Joscelyn Jun Quan Ng,Nurhazlyn Bte Md Aidzil,Wei Xiong Sim,Nazurah Syazana Bte Nordin,Charmaine Lloyd,Teng Rong Chye,Sarah Liyana Musa,Kar Leong Lim,Zephyr Yu Wen Eng

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-84112-0

Vimala Gana Valu, Punithavathy Manickavasagam + Show 13 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84112-0

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Abstract

This study aimed at exploring microalgal heterogeneity from fresh water samples collected from inland water bodies in the heavily built city of Singapore. Culturable pure isolates (n = 94) were subject to an in-house microalgal DNA extraction method and LSU rDNA sequencing. Isolates were analysed for their predominance and distribution. A total of 17 different algal genera were identified (H = 2.8, EH = 0.6), of which Scenedesmus spp. and Chlorella spp. constituted 27.5% and 21.3% of isolates respectively, followed by Micractinium spp. (18.8%) and Chlamydomonas spp. (12.5%). We also report 16 new microalgal strains from this region. The data is important from an ecological and biotechnological perspective.

Highlights

This study aimed at exploring microalgal heterogeneity from fresh water samples collected from inland water bodies in the heavily built city of Singapore
Algae are viewed as potential sources of biodiesel, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and food sources for human and animal c onsumption[1]
Surface water samples were collected in sterile containers from publicly accessible inland water locations (n = 31) in the north (NZ)-6, central (CZ)-11, east (EZ)-6 and West zones (WZ)-8, by random sampling

Summary

Introduction

This study aimed at exploring microalgal heterogeneity from fresh water samples collected from inland water bodies in the heavily built city of Singapore. Culturable pure isolates (n = 94) were subject to an in-house microalgal DNA extraction method and LSU rDNA sequencing. Exploratory studies on microalgal communities in various natural ecosystems provide knowledge that is both of ecological and commercial v alue[2,3,4]. The city-state island of Singapore is approximately 722.5 square km. It comprises around 10,099 high-rise buildings and is highly populated (5.7 million)[6]. The aim of our study was to identify culturable microalgae from water samples collected from random sampling sites. We modified an existing m ethod[14] to facilitate DNA extraction of our algal isolates

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