Selection of cold-tolerant Arthrospira platensis strains by way of cold-shock treatments
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 202
Start Date
17-5-2012
End Date
17-5-2012
Abstract
Arthrospira platensis is an alga that shows great promise as a human food source. It is rich in nutrients and both simple and inexpensive to cultivate. However, A. platensis requires relatively high temperatures for optimal growth: around 30oC. If a strain of A. platensis that is capable of growing in even slightly lower temperatures was developed it would have great potential as a source of nutrition for impoverished regions as well and increased yields for commercial growing operations. The goal of this project is to explore the possibility of developing a cold-tolerant strain of A. platensis using periodic exposure to low temperatures. Growth rates at less than optimal temperatures will be compared for survivors of a short-term cold shock versus control strains. If the cold-shocked strain shows enhanced growth under sub-optimal temperature as compared to the control strain, this will indicate that cold-tolerant strains of A. platensis have been successfully selected.
Recommended Citation
McNolty, Alan, "Selection of cold-tolerant Arthrospira platensis strains by way of cold-shock treatments" (2012). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 94.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2012/oralpresentations/94
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
Selection of cold-tolerant Arthrospira platensis strains by way of cold-shock treatments
SURC 202
Arthrospira platensis is an alga that shows great promise as a human food source. It is rich in nutrients and both simple and inexpensive to cultivate. However, A. platensis requires relatively high temperatures for optimal growth: around 30oC. If a strain of A. platensis that is capable of growing in even slightly lower temperatures was developed it would have great potential as a source of nutrition for impoverished regions as well and increased yields for commercial growing operations. The goal of this project is to explore the possibility of developing a cold-tolerant strain of A. platensis using periodic exposure to low temperatures. Growth rates at less than optimal temperatures will be compared for survivors of a short-term cold shock versus control strains. If the cold-shocked strain shows enhanced growth under sub-optimal temperature as compared to the control strain, this will indicate that cold-tolerant strains of A. platensis have been successfully selected.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Mary Poulson, Jennifer Dechaine