Evaluation of the main economic characteristics of a narrow-thallus strain of Neoporphyra haitanensis

It is highly desirable to cultivate elite species to increase their coverage and the industrial efficiency of the economically and ecologically important seaweed, Neoporphyra haitanensis . Here, the main economic characteristics of a narrow-thallus N. haitanensis strain (W28) isolated from a double-haploid population resulting from single somatic cell clone cultivation was analyzed, and the wild type (WT) and new cultivar (MF-2) N. haitanensis strains were used as controls. The average width of W28 thalli was only 0.90 cm after 20 d of cultivation, which was narrower by 0.88 cm and 0.2 cm than thalli of MF-2 and WT, respectively. However, the W28 growth rate (approximately 9.4 cm/d during the vigorous growth period) was greater than those of WT and MF-2, leading to the higher W28 yield. The W28 characteristics of a long growth period and easily released conchospores are similar to those of MF-2. Additionally, the WT thalli rotted when subjected to 30 °C, whereas the morphology of W28 thalli cells showed no obvious damage. Furthermore, the amino acid content in W28 thalli (at approximately 305 mg/g) was greater than those of the WT and MF-2 strains. In conclusion, the present study isolated a new candidate variety of N. haitanensis , with narrow thalli, a high yield (fast-growing), good taste, and high-temperature tolerance, that was also rich in pigments and amino acids. Thus, it met the market demands and global sustainability targets. • A new candidate variety of N. haitanensis was isolated from DH population by single somatic cell clone cultivation. • W28 strain was characterized by narrow-thalli, fast-growing, and high temperature tolerance. • W28 strain has good quality due to its richness in pigment protein and amino acids.