Protoplast isolation from ulva rigida (Chlorophyta)

Abstract

High numbers of protoplasts were isolated from wild and cultivated thalli of Ulva rigida. Optimal conditions for protoplast release were obtained with 1·5% Abalone Acetone Powder and 1·5% Cellulysin in 0·4 M mannitol. Treatment for 30 min with hypotonic (0·8 M) solution more than doubled the yield. Growth conditions prior to enzyme treatment also influenced the yield greatly. Protoplasts were photosynthetically active, and 70–90% of the protoplasts were estimated to be viable.