Micro-algae production for industry and research
Parent cultures of algae are maintained free of bacterial contamination. These strains are utilised to maintain a regular supply of starter culture for the production of various micro algae species used as a primary food source and / or settlement cues for microscopic marine invertebrate and vertebrate species.
The flasks (upper left) and carboys (lower left) are examples of "batch culture" whereby a small amount of starter culture is axenically introduced into the vessel, which contains sterile sea water and fertilisers specific to the desired algae. Over a six day period, exponential growth of the starter culture occurs, as is observed by the changing colour within the flask. Algal growth is monitored by daily cell counts to determine when the vessels contain the optimum number of cells available for consumption by the marine animals selected for breeding and marine farming.
Micro-algae research for the New Zealand Aquaculture Industry
Developing a dependable culture system is essential to ensure consistent seawater, nutrients and other essential minerals are available for micro-algae to grow in continuous culture.
The hanging bag method or continuous culture (left) of micro-algae depends on a highly regulated delivery of medium to ensure continuous and consistent growth of algae. The aquaculture industry relies on this primary food production to maintain brood stock and production levels in shellfish culture, prior to the animals being introduced into the marine environment for on-growing culture.