Cryopreservation of microalgae and cyanobacteria

Area of Science:

• Phycology
• Cryobiology
• Microbial Ecology

Background:

• Cryopreservation is vital for maintaining algal cultures.
• Success rates vary significantly across different algal groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the cryopreservation success of various algal taxa.
• To identify limitations and future directions in algal cryopreservation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of cryopreservation viability data from major algal collections.
• Review of literature on successful and unsuccessful cryopreservation attempts.

Main Results:

• High viability achieved for cyanobacteria, soil microalgae, and some eukaryotic algae.
• Low success rates for dinoflagellates, cryptophytes, and synurophytes.
• Marine diatoms show higher success than freshwater diatoms.
• Certain groups like chlorarachniophytes and ulvophytes exhibit high success rates.
• Large cell size and filamentous structures are associated with cryopreservation failure.

Conclusions:

• While many algae can be cryopreserved, significant challenges persist for specific taxa.
• Further research into freezing damage mechanisms and protocol optimization is needed.
• Expanding cryopreservation capabilities will increase algal biodiversity preservation.