Algal Production Lab

NSAC rears approximately 40 strains of marine microalgae that have been isolated from around the world. Cultures are innoculated on a weekly basis and maintained in a programmable growth chamber. Transferred cultures are grown in 20L Carboys, 150L Kalwall Tubes or a 300L Bioreactor.

Density of cultures is determined through visual microscopic inspection using a hemocytometer or automatically through a Coulter Counter.

Freshly harvested algae is used to feed NSAC shellfish stocks. The facility also has the capability to separate algal cells from media to produce a paste which can be stored at -80C or freeze-dried to be used in research.