i am comparing the growth performances of filamentous and non filamentous forms. in a case where I can not count the cells of the filamentous algae using a hemocytometer, is it okay to do a spectrophotometric reading for all algal species involved? and when the species cluster, how do i stabilize the figures on the spec?
Please I need suggestions. Thank you.
Is it possible to homogenize the filaments before measurement? Another possibility could be an indirect method, for example measuring extracted Chl. a.
Hmmm, seems like it would be nice to have a method (e.g. gentle filtration) to separate the filamentous algae from other algae species, and then use some dispersion-inducing chemical agent (e.g. surfactant) to disaggregate/disentangle the filaments so that they are well dispersed in suspension before doing spectrophotometry.
If you have a centrifuge available, you could measure the packed cell volume, perhaps after gently filtering out the non-filamentous algael cells. Or come to think of it; how about performing some kind of filtering/concentrating and drying operation to get dry weights (assuming most of the mass in the concentrated filtered sample being dryed consists of the filamentous algae.)