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Optical Kits now Available
from Turner Designs:
Phycoerythrin and Phycocyanin for the
Detection of Cyanobacteria
Overview
Cyanobacteria have been found to
be a numerically abundant faction of the phytoplankton community.
Their roles in primary production, community structure, and spatial
and temporal distribution are of interest for numerous scientific
studies as well as natural water monitoring. Since chlorophyll fluorescence
cannot be used to accurately determine cyanobacterial presence,
analyzing phycobilin concentrations is essential for detecting,
quantifying, and monitoring cyanobacterial levels. Turner Designs
now offers two optical kits to quickly and easily detect this portion
of the phytoplankton population.
Phycoerythrin:
In marine species such as Synechococcus
spp., phycoerythrin is the dominant accessory pigment. Narrow band
interference filters are used for excitation and emission wavelengths
of 544 nm and 577 nm to minimize background interferences from the matrix
and other pigments.
Phycocyanin:
In contrast, fresh water taxa such
as Anabaena, Microcystis, and Spirulina, are rich
in phycocyanin. For detection of this pigment, we offer narrow band
interference filters that utilize excitation and emission wavelengths
of 600 nm and 640 nm, respectively.
Applications
· Biomass estimation in aquatic environments
· Primary production budgets
· Nitrogen fixation estimations and nitrogen
budgets
· Characterization of phytoplankton community
structure and distribution
· Detection of noxious and toxic phytoplankton
taxa
· Drinking water monitoring to prevent
quality degradation
Ordering Information
The Phycoerythrin Optical Kit (P/N:
10-304) includes a Daylight White Lamp, a 544nm excitation filter,
a 577nm emission filter, and a 10-053 Reference Filter (>535nm).
The Phycocyanin Optical Kit (P/N:
10-305) includes a Cool White Mercury Vapor Lamp, a 600nm excitation
filter, a 640 emission filter, and a 10-051 Reference Filter (>665nm).
The 10-304 and 10-305 Optical Kits
work in the 10-AU-005-CE Field Fluorometer and the Model 10 Analog
Fluorometer. Visit our website at www.turnerdesigns.com
for detailed information on numerous fluorescence applications or
call us at (408)749-0994.
Recent Publications
Cowles, T.J., R.A. Desiderio, S. Neuer.
1993. In situ Characterization of Phytoplankton from Vertical Profiles
of Fluorescence Emission Spectra. Marine Biology. 115: 217-222.
Lee, T. et. al. 1994. In vivo Fluorometric
Method for Early Detection of Cyanobacterial Waterblooms. Journal of App.
Phycology. 6: 489-495.
Murphy, L.S., and E.M. Haugen. 1985. The
Distribution and Abundance of Phototrophic Ultraplankton in the North
Atlantic. Limnology and Oceanography. 30(1): 47-58.
Watras, C.J. and A.L. Baker. 1988. Detection
of Planktonic Cyanobacteria by Tandem in vivo Fluorometry. Hydrobiologia.
169: 77-84.
Yentsch, C.S. and D.A. Phinney. 1985. Spectral
Fluorescence: an Ataxonomic Tool for Studying the Structure of Phytoplankton
Populations. Journal of Plankton Research. 7(5): 617-632
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