Resumen de Fluorescent lectins: the way forward in rapid algal identification
Soledad Andújar, Elena Hevia, Yolanda Carretero, Cristina Fenoy, Ashley Rowe, Victoria López Rodas
The identification of microalgal species is an area that requires reorganization and advancement. Whilst there is no doubt that conventional morphological criteria are sufficient in the generic identification of microalgae, their species-level identification is far from satisfactory On one hand, fine-scale morphology is necessary to solve complex taxonomic problems between morphologically similar species. Many modern molecular techniques have been used to improve the characterization of microalgal species and strains in recent times, none however have so far achieved a rapid and sensitive procedure to clarify this problem. in this sense, fluorescent lectins fulfill these primary objectives, Their potential to differentiate between morphologically closely related species represents an important advancement in the pace of the identification of microaigae. For example, the toxic PSP-producing G. catenatum is readily discriminated from the morphologically similar non PSP-producing G. impudicurn using the lectin WGA. This presentation will outline how fluorescent lectins are excellent discriminant characters in the rapid and simple identification of microalgal species. This is especially pertinent when the unequivocal and rapid separation of toxic and non-toxic species is now of mounting importance in routine monitoring programmes.
