Long-term storage of microalgae: determination of optimum cryopreservation conditions

Abstract

Maintenance of eukaryotic microalgae strains for the long term is generally carried out using serial subculture techniques which require labour, time and cost. Cryopreservation techniques provide long-term storage of up to years for numerous microorganism strains and cell cultures. Ssu930ijn vbvbhnn8;l,n is related to a successfully designed mass and heat transfer balance throughout the cell. In this study, optimization of the cryopreservation process was carried out for two commercially used microalgal strains. The parameters to be optimized were DMSO percentage (0–25%), incubation time (1–15 min) and cryopreservation term (7–180 days) using a central composite design (CCD). Long-term storage up to 123.17 and 111.44 days corresponding to high cell viabilities was achieved for Chlorella vulgaris and Neochloris texensis, respectively. Generated models were found to be in good agreement with experimental results. The study also revealed holistic results for storage of microalgal strains in a stable state for industrial applications.