I ordered the Fusiform Pyrocystis from Sunnyside Sea Farms for a science experiment on Bio luminescence for my daughter's kindergarten class. Ordering through the website wasn't possible so I called to order. Devon was extremely helpful and knew to ask me what temperature it was here in Georgia. I told her it was usually in the mid 90's. She recommended shipping 2nd day or waiting until cooler temperatures in order to keep the phytoplankton alive. They can't tolerate too much heat since the ocean water is typically cool even in full sun. She also gave me helpful advice for caring for the phytoplankton after the experiment and how I could train the experiment to bioluminesce during the day time.
Sunnyside Sea Farms could do with an online ordering process, but had I not called, I wouldn't have learned so much about the Fusiform Pyrocystis dinoflagellates from Devon. In any case, my daughter's kindergarten class loved seeing the phytoplankton glow and learning about the luciferase and luciferin chemical reactions within the cell bodies. Also, the phytoplankton were large enough for them to see with a magnifying glass instead of needing a microscope. It was a big hit. Later the children got to experiment with glow sticks and discuss the diphenyl oxolate reactions to hydrogen peroxide. They also hypothesized as to why organisms would evolve this bioluminescent capability. read more