Biological Diversity of Seawater Microalgae Isolated from Ujung Genteng Sukabumi and Their Novel Genomic DNA Isolation Technique.

The Ujung Genteng Beach, located in Sukabumi, is renowned for its extensive seagrass beds and functions as an intertidal area. However, there has been limited scientific investigation into the diversity of microalgae in this ecosystem. This research aimed to identify the diversity of microalgae sourced from the seawater of Ujung Genteng Beach based on morphological characteristics and optimize DNA isolation and amplification techniques. Sampling was conducted three times at predetermined research locations. Morphological identification was performed using a binocular microscope, while DNA isolation and amplification were performed using CTAB methods with modification. The number of species found at Ujung Genteng Beach, Sukabumi is 47 species, 12 of which are often found at the three research locations both morning and afternoon, namely Navicula sp., Frustulia sp., Diploneis parma, Nitzschia sp., Achnanthidium sp., Amphora sp., Oscillatoria teneuis, Achanthes sp., Planothidium sp., Uronema sp., Zygnema sp., and Flagillaria sp.Based on the gel image, genomic DNA of seawater microalgae was successfully isolated, despite the relatively low purity and concentration. Analysis of diversity index and species diversity revealed variations in species abundance and diversity among different locations, particularly in seawater microalgae found within distinct zones: 0-2 meters from the low tide line (location I), seawater within seagrass areas located 2-5 meters away (location II), and seawater near the open sea, situated 5-10 meters away (location III).Therefore, the diversity of microalgae at all sampling locations was in the medium category and the uniformity index between species was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]