Culture Media

List of the most common culture media used in the Roscoff Culture Collection.

• Besides the list below, the NCMA web site has a very complete list of algal media recipe.  
• MediaDive – the world’s largest collection of cultivation media (Bacteria, protists and algae).
• Components for some media can be ordered from :
  • Sigma (see Phycology products on Sigma catalog)
  • NCMA (previously CCMP). See Media kits
  • PhytoTechnology
• If you do not have access to fresh seawater, Red Sea Salt can be used to reconstitute sea water and seems to provide good results with marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus. Alternatively you may order sea water from NCMA (if you can afford it...).

For all media

• Leave the seawater (SW) to age for 2 months at room temperature;
  Note : This"aging" step is critical (but akin to black magic) because during that period bacteria present in the sea water will degrade many organic molecules that are probably detrimental to algae.  Our experince shows that medium made with 'fresh' seawater will in many cases prevent cells from growing.
• Filter SW through 0.2µm membrane filter and autoclave;
• Autoclave the different nutrient solutions;
• Asceptically add the nutrients to the SW and store at 20°C.

Please also read our recommendations for culturing