License: This is an open access document distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Created: February 25, 2022
Last Modified: February 25, 2022
Document Integer ID: 58792
Abstract
This recipe is used to grow algae in the genus Anabaena, Dolichospermum, and Aphanizomenon in the Duffy lab. It can be used to grow other freshwater cyanobacteria cultures.
Written by: K. Hunsberger, February 2016
Updated by: K. Sánchez, March 2021
Based on methods from Australian National Algae Culture Collection
MLA Medium Preparation
Summary
This recipe is used to grow algae in the genus Anabaena, Dolichospermum, and Aphanizomenon in the Duffy lab. It can be used to grow other freshwater cyanobacteria cultures.
Materials
A
B
C
Apparatus & Equipment
Labware
Reagents
Autoclave
1L polyethylene
bottles
Sodium nitrate, NaNO3
Aluminum foil
Graduated
cylinder
Calcium
chloride, CaCl2•2H2O
Autoclave tape
500 mL beakers
Magnesium Sulfate,
MgSO4•7H2O
Analytical balance
stirring
magnet
Potassium
phosphate dibasic, K2HPO4
Weight boats or paper
5L glass aspirator
bottle
Boric acid, H3BO3
Rubber cap
for 5L
Selenious
acid, H2SeO3
Rubber hose
Copper (II) sulfate, CuSO4 · 5H2O
spatula
Iron (III)
chloride, FeCl3
Zinc sulfate, ZnSO4 ·
7H2O
Cobalt (II)
chloride, CoCl2 · 6H2O
Sodium molybdate, Na2MoO4
· 2H2O
EDTA, Na2EDTA
Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3
Manganese
(II) chloride, MnCl2 · 4H2O
1. Stock Solutions Set #1: Using the analytical balance, weight the prescribed amounts of each of chemicals in the table below. Dissolve the prescribed amount of each chemical into 1 L (final volume) of MilliQ water. There will be 5 separate solutions. Store in polyethylene bottles.
2. Vitamin Solution: Use the solution in the fridge labeled VIM. (This VIM solution is from the Standard COMBO Medium Protocol and contains Vitamin B12, Biotin, and Thiamine-HCl. See protocol for specific concentrations.)
3. Micronutrient Primary Stocks: First prepare these 4 primary stocks by adding the prescribed amount to MilliQ water for a final volume of 1L. There will be 4 separate solutions.
A
B
C
Compound
Symbol
g/L MilliQ
Copper (II) sulfate
CuSO4 · 5H2O
1.0
Zinc sulfate
ZnSO4 · 7H2O
2.2
Cobalt (II) chloride
CoCl2 · 6H2O
1.0
Sodium molybdate
Na2MoO4 · 2H2O
0.6
4. Micronutrient Stock Solutions: Dissolve the prescribed amount of the following constituents in ~800 mL of MilliQ water. Allow each to mix and dissolve completely before adding the next ingredient.
A
B
C
Compound
Symbol
g
EDTA*
Na2EDTA
4.36
Iron (III) chloride
FeCl3 · 6H2O
1.58
Sodium bicarbonate
NaHCO3
0.60
Manganese (II) chloride
MnCl2 · 4H2O
0.36
*Add the EDTA first and stir on low heat to fully dissolve.
Then, add 10 of each of the 4 primary stock solutions. Bring the final volume up to 1L. If a precipitate forms, increase the pH up to 7. This solution is the micronutrient stock solution.
5. Stock Solution Set #2: Dissolve the prescribed amount of each chemical into 1 L (final volume) of MilliQ water in 1L flasks. There will be 2 separate solutions.
6.
A
B
C
Compound
Symbol
g/L MilliQ
Sodium bicarbonate
NaHCO3
16.9
Calcium chloride
CaCl2 · 2H2O
29.4
Autoclave each of the compounds using the setting number 2 of the BSB autoclaves in floors 4th & 5th(or 121 °C for 15 minutes) and then store in 1L glass bottles.
7. MLA x40 Concentrated Nutrient Solution: Prepare this 1L solution by adding the following volumes of the stock ingredients to 540 mL MilliQ water.
A
B
Solution
Volume to add
MgSO4 · 7H2O
40 mL
NaNO3
80 mL
K2HPO4
200 mL
H3BO3
40 mL
H2SeO3
40 mL
VIM Solution
20 mL
Micronutrient
stock solution
40 mL
Filter sterilize using a 0.22 mm filter into a sterile 1L glass bottle.
STORE ALL OF THE ABOVE STOCK SOLUTIONS AND PRIMARY STOCK SOLUTIONS IN THE FRIDGE.
Final MLA Medium Preparation: is prepared by adding ~750 mL MilliQ water for each liter. Then, add the correct amount of each solution according to the following table. After adding all of the solutions, the volume should be increased to the specified final amount and adjusted to a pH of 7.5-8 with HCl (if necessary). Prepare final solution in a 1L or 5L aspirator bottle. Place the rubber stopper laterally (so it does not completely plug the top opening of the aspirator bottle) and completely cover the top with aluminum foil. Cover the end of the rubber hose with aluminum foil (or connect it to the second aspirator bottle if setting up a new culture). Autoclave the mixture by selecting program number 2 in the autoclaves found in the 4 or 5th floor of the BSB building (or at 121 °C for 15 min). Allow to cool in autoclave overnight, if possible. This helps to minimize amount of precipitate.