University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC).

Accession number;03A0266228
Title;University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC).
Author;PHANG S-M(Univ. Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Mys)   CHU W-L(International Medical Univ., Kuala Lumpur, Mys)   
Journal Title;Research Report from the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
Journal Code:Z0817A
ISSN:1341-3643
VOL.;NO.175;PAGE.189-192(2003)
Figure&Table&Reference;REF.19
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;English
Abstract;The University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection(UMACC) is the only culture collection of microalgae in Malaysia, consisting of more than 150 microalgal isolates. It serves as a national collection of microalgae and supplies selected cultures to both the research community and the industry. The collection consists of unialgal cultures, of which many are axenic, representing strains from Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Prasinophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Haptophyceae and Bacillariophyceae. Many are indigenous strains, isolated from diverse aquatic habitats of Malaysia, ranging from freshwater lakes, wastewater ponds, mangrove swamps, coastal waters to estuaries. There are also several strains of aerial microalgae isolated from wall scrapings(e.g. Chlorococcum). Many of the microalgae in the UMACC have been used in various studies conducted by the Algal Biotechnology Group of the University of Malaya, and these include the following: (i) screening of the microalgae for high-value chemicals such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and phycobiliproteins, (ii) use of the microalgae for treatment of agro-industrial wastewaters such as rubber and palm oil mill effluents, and sago factory wastewater, (iii) use of the microalgae as biomonitors for heavy metal pollution and nitrogen enrichment in freshwater ecosystems, (iv) use of the microalgae as mosquito larvicidal agents, (v) use of the microalgae as animal feed. The UMACC has expanded with the recent addition of 15 isolates of Antarctic microalgae. The microalgae were isolated from snow, seawater and soil samples, and water from waste treatment pond collected around Casey Station, Antarctica during the expedition there last year. Characterisation of the morphology and growth of the Antarctic microalgae is in progress.... (author abst.)