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

• Main Authors: Charmaine Lloyd, Kai Heng Tan, Kar Leong Lim, Vimala Gana Valu, Sarah Mei Ying Fun, Teng Rong Chye, Hui Min Mak, Wei Xiong Sim, Sarah Liyana Musa, Joscelyn Jun Quan Ng, Nazurah Syazana Bte Nordin, Nurhazlyn Bte Md Aidzil, Zephyr Yu Wen Eng, Punithavathy Manickavasagam, Jen Yan New
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2021-02-01
• Series: Scientific Reports
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84112-0
• ISSN: 2045-2322

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.