Isolation and culture of protoplasts from agar yielding seaweed Gracilaria edulis (Gmelin) Silva

Viable protoplasts were isolated from cultured thailus of agar yeilding red seaweed Gracilaria edulis using an enzyme mixture of 3% ONOZUKA R-10 cellulase 3% R-10 macerozyme, 1 % agarase and 1% pectinase in a seaweed protoplast washing medium (SPW) containing seawater and 1 M mannitol. After repeated washing wiih sterile medium, the protoplasts were maintained in light and attempts were made on electrofusion of protoplasts.