Simple molecular identification and free amino acid contents of Neoporphyra kitoi (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) with potential use as a new species for nori cultivation

Abstract

We conducted preliminary experimental cultivation using the OHN-1 strain of Neoporphyra kitoi to confirm the growth of the gametophytic blades in the nori farm. The mature and immature long linear blades grew in the nori farm and were confirmed to be N. kitoi based on the nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast RUBISCO spacer region. Furthermore, we developed PCR–RFLP analyses using chloroplast and nuclear DNA to discriminate simply between N. kitoi and Neopyropia yezoensis, the species cultivated in Japan, for identifying many samples for growth comparisons between the two species during future experimental cultivation. In addition, four major FAA contents [alanine (Ala), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu) and taurine (Tau)] were compared between the blades of N. kitoi OHN-1 and cultivated Neopy. yezoensis (Neopyropia yezoensis f. narawaensis) HG-4 under identical laboratory conditions. As a result, the contents of the four major FAAs, especially Ala, were significantly higher in OHN-1 than in HG-4. The results suggested that the OHN-1 strain of N. kitoi has potential as a new cultivated species with high growth and a better flavor.