ARS | Publication request: New Approaches to the Design of Algal Media Formulations for Nutrition Studies: the Anionic/cationic Balance Problem

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 20, 2004
Publication Date: August 7, 2004
Citation: EVENS,T.J.,NIEDZ,R.P.2004.NEW Approaches To The Design Of Algal Media Formulations For Nutrition Studies: The Anionic/cationic Balance Problem. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Designing culture media for macro-/micro-nutrient studies is a complicated problem. The vast majority of algal media has been empirically derived and is inherently difficult to manipulate in a controlled manner. In order to evaluate the importance of a single ion it is necessary to alter the concentration of the two ions, a cation and an anion, that make up the parent salt. If it is necessary to assess multiple ions then the problem increases in complexity in an exponential manner. These types of problems are easily solved by linear programming (LP), a technique of applied mathematics devised specifically for solving a wide range of practical, complex, resource allocation problems such as scheduling, mixing, blending, and routing. The anionic/cationic balance problem, how it is easily solved using LP techniques, and a public domain software program designed for nutrient formulation research will be discussed.