How long will the living algal strain last?

Living algal cultures are biological materials that require ongoing care and are not intended for indefinite storage. The longevity of a culture depends on the strain, culture conditions, and how actively it is growing. Under appropriate maintenance conditions, the tubes you receive will remain viable for several weeks to several months before subculturing is required. This does not apply to Algae Express agar strains since an older, more established copy is sent out instead of a brand new subculture.

Initial recommendations are provided on the Immediate Attention leaflet included with your order. In addition, the Algae Details section on the website and the strain information sheet included with the culture contains strain-specific information, including recommended medium, temperature, and lighting conditions.

For long-term maintenance, cultures should be routinely subcultured and backup cultures should be established whenever possible.