Toxicity of Cryoprotectants to Gametophytic Thalli of Red Algae Porphyra yezoensis

We assessed the toxicity of cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) to gametophytic thalli of red alga Porphyra yezoensis at room temperature. The CPAs used were: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol (GC), 1,2-butanediol (1,2-BD), 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BD), 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) and propylene glycol (PG). CPA concentrations of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% were employed with 30 or 60 s immersion. The toxicity of the eight CPAs to gametophytic thalli of P. yezoensis was in the order: 1,3-BD < DMSO ≈ 2,3-BD ≈ PG ≈ EG < GC < 1,3-PD ≈ 1,2-BD. All thalli were more sensitive to high CPA concentrations, and most (>75%) thalli survived exposure to 10-25% CPA for 60 s. These data will facilitate selection of the optimal cryoprotectant concentration for cryopreservation of P. yezoensis thalli.