Development of a novel quantification method for microalgae in environmental water samples

目前用于定量水样中微藻的方法是基于叶绿素含量。然而，不同种类的藻类和不同的水性质极大地影响了这些方法的准确性。不幸的是，** 叶绿素的光学特性使得精确测量细胞密度非常困难。其他已建立的方法不足以区分微藻和其他类型的水生生物，如细菌。最后，像细胞计数这样的高度精确的方法是劳动密集型的，并且需要无法在现场携带的设备。虽然我们经常看到藻类在海滩上生长，但微藻可以生长在许多不同的环境中，从工业水冷却罐，灌溉水库，池水，水族馆或水产养殖池塘，它们可以形成堵塞或为鱼类生长创造有毒环境。Genemis**Laboratories Inc.，作为这项工作的工业合作伙伴，专门从事水的微生物污染物的快速测试，有两种主要产品，AquaVial是一种用于水样微生物污染水平的视觉极限测试，AquaAssay是一种用于微生物污染测试的定量测试，当需要时间敏感响应时。由于叶绿素的干扰，Genemis以前的尝试没有成功。这是Ward博士先前针对其他类型的微藻 ** 定量测定解决的问题。本研究将研究一种新的快速检测方法，用于微藻定量 **，该方法将建立在Genemis现有产品的基础上。沃德实验室在微藻培养方面的工作以及 ** 将分析技术应用于基于微藻的应用，使他们非常适合与Genemis** 合作开发这一新产品。Genemis处于一个非常有利的位置，可以快速利用这项工作的发现 **，因为他们现有的产品可以进行快速细菌测试。

Current methods for quantify microalgae in water samples is based on chlorophyll content. However, different**species of algae and different water properties drastically affect the accuracy of these methods. Unfortunately,**the optical properties of chlorophyll make it very difficult to accurately measure the cell density. Other**established methods are not specific enough to distinguish microalgae from other types of aquatic organisms**like bacteria. Finally, highly accurate methods like cell counting is labour intensive and requires equipment that**cannot be carried in the field. While we often time of algae growing on beaches, microalgae can grow in many**different environments from industrial water cooling tanks, irrigation reservoirs, pool water, aquariums, or**aquaculture ponds where they can form blockages or create toxic environments for fish growth. Genemis**Laboratories Inc., the industrial partner in this work, specializes in rapid testing of water for microbial**contaminants with two major products, the AquaVial which is a visual limit test for a water sample's level of**microbial contamination, and AquaAssay, a quantitative test for microbial contamination testing for when a**time sensitive response is needed. Previous attempts to do so by Genemis were unsuccessful due to interference**with chlorophyll. This is an issue that has previously been resolved by Dr. Ward for other types of microalgae**quantification assays. This research will investigate a new rapid testing method for microalgae quantification**which will build on the existing products from Genemis. The Ward Lab's work on microalgae cultivation and**adapting analytical techniques to microalgae based applications makes them well suited to work with Genemis**in the development of this new product. Genemis is in an excellent position to quickly capitalize on the finding**of this work given their existing products for rapid bacterial testing.