Protocols Library
Step-by-step procedures for cyanobacteria cultivation, analysis, preservation, and characterization — peer-reviewed and lab-tested.
Microscopic Analysis 2
Light microscopy is used to perform a preliminary assessment of the samples. A small aliquot of each sample is prepared as a wet mount on a clean glass slide and observed under a light microscope using 10x and 40x objectives. When required, samples are gently diluted to avoid overcrowding and to improve visibility. No staining is performed in order to preserve natural pigmentation and native cell structures. This protocol enabled rapid visualization of microbial morphology and community structure.
Nitrogen Fixation Measurement 2
The acetylene reduction assay (ARA) was used to measure nitrogen fixation by quantifying nitrogenase activity through the conversion of acetylene to ethylene. Ethylene production was measured using gas chromatography corrected for blanks, and normalized to biomass. This assay enabled comparison of nitrogen fixation efficiency across strains and conditions, helping identify high and low performing nitrogen-fixing cultures for further analysis.
Cultivation of Thermophilic Cyanobacteria using Agar Plates 2
Environmental samples are cultivated on nutrient agar under warm, light-controlled conditions to enrich thermophilic cyanobacteria. Through gradual dilution and repeated re-culturing, slow-growing photosynthetic microbes are selectively favored while background organisms are reduced. This approach results in visible cyanobacterial growth and provides enriched cultures for further physiological and molecular studies.
Cultivation of Thermophilic Cyanobacteria using Agar Plates
Environmental samples are cultivated on nutrient agar under warm, light-controlled conditions to enrich thermophilic cyanobacteria. Through gradual dilution and repeated re-culturing, slow-growing photosynthetic microbes are selectively favored while background organisms are reduced. This approach results in visible cyanobacterial growth and provides enriched cultures for further physiological and molecular studies.
Nitrogen Fixation Measurement (Acetylene Reduction Assay)
The acetylene reduction assay (ARA) was used to measure nitrogen fixation by quantifying nitrogenase activity through the conversion of acetylene to ethylene. Ethylene production was measured using gas chromatography corrected for blanks, and normalized to biomass. This assay enabled comparison of nitrogen fixation efficiency across strains and conditions, helping identify high and low performing nitrogen-fixing cultures for further analysis.
Microscopic Analysis
Light microscopy is used to perform a preliminary assessment of the samples. A small aliquot of each sample is prepared as a wet mount on a clean glass slide and observed under a light microscope using 10x and 40x objectives. When required, samples are gently diluted to avoid overcrowding and to improve visibility. No staining is performed in order to preserve natural pigmentation and native cell structures. This protocol enabled rapid visualization of microbial morphology and community structure.