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Molecular characterization of microalgae used in aquaculture with biotechnology potential

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Abstract

Microalgae are the main component of first tropic level in aquatic food chain; it is for this reason that they are used as food in aquaculture. Also due to its biotechnological potential properties, they are used in the production of diverse components, dyes, antioxidants, enzymes, emulsifiers, etc. The extended ways of microalgae applications require physiologically and genetically stable cultures as well as correctly identified organisms to guarantee reproducibility and reliability. But the variety of species and the morphological similarity between some of them make difficult the identification of some microalgae. The use of molecular markers has supplied a very useful tool for identification of microalgae in fast mode, such as in classification. The present study has worked on the molecular characterization of main species of microalgae used in aquaculture in base of the molecular markers 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA. Microalgae DNA has been amplified and sequenced, and the resultant sequences were analyzed and reflected in phylogenetic trees. The phylogenetic analyses obtained reflect as both molecular markers allow to differentiate the main genus used in aquaculture.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Arturo Silva Abuin (The Royal University of Santiago de Compostela) and Tito Peleteiro (Spanish Institute of Oceanography) for providing the microalgae strains.

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  1. Area of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 36310, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain

    Mercedes Alonso, Fátima C. Lago, Juan M. Vieites & Montserrat Espiñeira

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  1. Mercedes Alonso
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  2. Fátima C. Lago
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  3. Juan M. Vieites
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Correspondence to Montserrat Espiñeira.

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Alonso, M., Lago, F.C., Vieites, J.M. et al. Molecular characterization of microalgae used in aquaculture with biotechnology potential. Aquacult Int 20, 847–857 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-012-9506-8

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