Freshwater Media Receipes

Freshwater Algal Collection Culturing Information

Most freshwater cultures are grown at a constant 18°C on a 12:12 light:dark cycle. Growth light intensity is approximately 50 µmol photons m-2 s-1.
Freshwater algal cultures are maintained on various forms of soil water media. Recipes of these growth media are available from the University of Texas Culture Collection of Algae (UTEX).

FWAC History

The Freshwater Algal Culture Collection of the Department of Botany originated with Dr. Janet Stein, who arrived at UBC in 1959. An accomplished specialist in the field of freshwater algae, she inventoried the freshwater flora of the province, and established the freshwater collection. From 1984 to 2000, the collection was curated by Carol Ann Borden, who added a number of species to the collection.

In the past only a few isolates were available distribution. Recently the entire collection has been made available.