The invention pertains to a method for synthesizing a product of interest by culturing a microalgal cell producing the product of interest in the dark in a culture medium comprising an organic acid as a fixed carbon source, wherein the microalgal cell is a facultative heterotroph. The product of interest can be a microalgal biomass, a pigment, terpene, recombinant molecule, biogas, or a precursor thereof. In an embodiment, the culture medium comprises urea as a primary source of nitrogen. In one embodiment, the microalgal cell belongs to the order Chlamydomonadales. A method of identifying and isolating a microalgal cell having a preferred characteristic that is suitable for synthesis of a product of interest is also provided, the method comprising identifying and isolating a non-mutagenized or recombinant microalgal cell from a microalgal culture using a fluorescence activated cell sorting technique and/or a phototaxic response.

Methods and kits for the detection of toxic cyanobacteria in a sample by analyzing the sample for the presence antibodies raised in a host, where the presence of antibodies is indicative of toxic cyanobacteria, are described.

The present disclosure relates to methods for compositional analysis of algal biomass, specifically weight percent elemental composition. In at least one embodiment, a method for compositional analysis of an algae sample includes flash combusting a first portion of the algae sample to provide a carbon wt %, a hydrogen wt %, and a nitrogen weight %. The method includes pyrolysing a second portion of the algae sample to provide an oxygen wt %. The method includes scanning a third portion of the algae sample using x-ray fluorescence to provide an elemental intensity. The method includes normalizing the elemental intensity using the carbon wt %, the hydrogen wt %, the nitrogen wt %, and/or the oxygen wt %.

Brevetoxin (BTX) concentration levels in organisms and other samples are detected using conjugated recombinant monoclonal brevetoxin antibodies (BTX-rAbs) that are cross-reactive with one or more brevetoxin antigens. The analysis may employ a simplified and less pure, but more easily, more safely or more rapidly prepared crude tissue extract. The results may be used to permit or not permit the harvesting, sale, relocation or depuration of such organisms or samples.

Brevetoxin (BTX) concentration levels in organisms and other samples are detected using conjugated recombinant monoclonal brevetoxin antibodies (BTX-rAbs) that are cross-reactive with one or more brevetoxin antigens. The analysis may employ a simplified and less pure, but more easily, more safely or more rapidly prepared crude tissue extract. The results may be used to permit or not permit the harvesting, sale, relocation or depuration of such organisms or samples.

Provided herein are quality control substances for use with a microscopy-based urine sediment analyzer. The quality control substances comprise a urine matrix and a cancer cell, an algae cell, a yeast cell, egg white, or any combination thereof. Methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a urine sample from a subject, quality control substances for use in identifying the presence of one or more analytes in a urine sample from a subject, and the use of a cancer cell, an algae cell, a yeast cell, egg white, or any combination thereof in the manufacture of a quality control substance for use with a microscopy-based urine analyzer are also provided.

A bioindicator assembly for determining a level of CO.sub.2 in a surrounding environment includes an article and a bioindicator component applied to the article. The bioindicator component includes a composite fabric that has a substrate, wherein a biodegradable material is applied to the substrate, a membrane that is coupled with the composite fabric to define an interior cavity, the membrane being semi-permeable, a bioindicator that changes color, form, shape, or texture when exposed to CO.sub.2, and an attachment mechanism coupled to a rear side of the composite fabric.

Disclosed are compositions that comprise one or more broad-spectrum capture molecules (including, for example, the small, homodimer-forming lectin protein, Griffithsin), or glycoproteins that coat the viral envelope surface in methods for the identification of one or more virus particles in an airborne, aerosol, or aerosolized sample. Also disclosed are methods for the use of such capture agents in the manufacture of diagnostic reagents (as well as kits, devices, and systems comprising them), useful in developing viral detection platforms that are both rapid and facile to perform, yet highly-sophisticated, accurate, and sensitive. Methods are also provided for using these compositions in the identification, molecular capture, characterization, and design of therapeutic regents related thereto for the treatment of one or more symptoms of a viral infection, or a virally-induced disease in mammals and, particularly, in humans.

A method for extracting an analyte in a sample is described. A sample and a solution in a microwave-extraction vial are microwave-heated and agitated. A vapor produced in the vial can be extracted into a liquid-phase medium contained in a porous membrane bag situated in the vial. The liquid-phase medium containing the vapor extract may then be analyzed for an analyte with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A method for extracting an analyte in a sample is described. A sample and a solution in a microwave-extraction vial are microwave-heated and agitated. A vapor produced in the vial can be extracted into a liquid-phase medium contained in a porous membrane bag situated in the vial. The liquid-phase medium containing the vapor extract may then be analyzed for an analyte with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.