Development of a Solid Medium for Growth and Isolation of Axenic Microcystis Strains (Cyanobacteria)

Abstract

Solid media on a base of B-12 or CB medium with agarose or agarose of low melting temperature were developed for the cultivation of Microcystis species. The media with 0.4% gel showed the highest number of CFU, and increasing the gel concentration resulted in a reduction of the number of CFU. There was no difference in the numbers of CFU between pour and spread plates made of the solid media. By using the solid media, 31 clones of Microcystis species were isolated from natural blooms in Lake Kasumigaura, and 5 axenic strains (1 of M. wesenbergii and 4 of M. aeruginosa ) were established from the clones.