Cultural estimation of yeasts on seaweeds

Five per cent suspensions of freshly harvested seaweeds were used as an inoculum to develop a selective medium for epiphytic yeasts. Conditions for satisfactory yeast growth and visualization as red colonies on membrane filters were obtained by supplementing a basal glucose-Trypticase-yeast extract-agar at pH 7.0 with 100 mg each of chloramphenicol and 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride per liter. Maximal counts were obtained by triturating the algae in prechilled (4 C) seawater with a blender for 2 to 5 min. Inhibitory phenolic materials released from phaeophytes during this process were removed with a modified Cholodny filtration. A preliminary survey indicated that yeasts were epiphytic on all nine species of seaweeds and that maximal populations occurred on the chlorophytes and rhodophytes especially during the periods of warmer water.