Scenedesmus quadricauda, is a quick growing green algae ideal for pollution, eutrophication and photosynthesis investigations, such as the popular 'algae wrapped in jelly balls' experiment. These ready to use algal balls or algae beads are a great time saver and ideal for teachers with limited facilities such as home school educators.

Each student/group requires around 50-100 ready-made algae balls, split equally between small bottles such as these 7ml Bijou Bottles. Please note: our balls are larger than average, approximately 3.5mm in diameter, hence we advise each group using 50-100, not the 100-200 that SAPS advise. All algae balls are made in our Shropshire lab, if you have bulk or specific requirements please contact us and we will endeavour to help.

Options:

• Class set made from 100ml algae, around 1800 balls (enough for 18-36 students/groups)
• Half size version, around 900 balls (enough for 9-18 students/groups)
• Single student or group, around 90 balls
  

See SAPS' website for free resources about the algae balls practical, including a post-16 version, video and support. To purchase Scenedesmus algae for making your own algal balls please click here.

Division/Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
CCAP Ref: CCAP 276/16
Environment: Freshwater

Algal balls can last up to 4-6 months when stored in the fridge at 4°C in distilled water, bring back up to room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to using. The date of production will be on the sample and we advise using within 3 months from this date for best results.

Darwin Biological's algae and protozoa samples are produced in partnership with the Culture Collection of Algae & Protozoa (CCAP) and are only available for UK schools and colleges to purchase. Please visit https://www.ccap.ac.uk/ to purchase if you are a university or commercial customer, or are outside of the UK.

1 week lead time - if required urgently please contact us as we may already have a batch in production.

Images - Comparison image shows bijou bottles containing 10 and 20 balls to give an idea of size

Upon receipt, loosen cap. Store algae between 10-24°C, 20°C is perfect. Regarding light, ensure the culture is kept out of direct sunlight, ideally near a north facing window provided the temperature doesn't drop/rise too much.

We recommend you use the algae within 1 week of delivery if you do not intend to grow on. To grow on please see the instructions for the specific algae/protozoa you are purchasing, all are sent with instructions. We offer ready made vials of both freshwater and marine growth medium.

Mainland Britain

Our UK mainland delivery charges are as follows: (All figures are exc. VAT)

For next day delivery, please order by 1pm, item must be in stock. All stock levels are shown on the web, if showing as out of stock or prepared to order and required urgently, please contact us as we may have stock! Next day orders are sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery which is a signed for service, please ensure someone is available.

Drosophila are always dispatched on a Monday, please advise when ordering your preferred delivery week.

Our working hours are 9am - 3pm Monday - Thursday, 9am - 12pm Friday. Orders received outside these hours will be processed the next working day; orders are only dispatched Monday-Thursday (Monday-Wednesday for perishable items). Hours vary during school holidays but we are usually available via email.

*Half term closure 16th & 17th February 2026*

Contact us >>> 

Northern Ireland

Sadly, due to the UK leaving the EU, we can no longer supply Northern Irish customers with any products the have codes starting with an 'L' or 'P'. This is due to the requirement for all live or preserved products to have an import licence specific to the customer purchasing and the product being purchased. As each licence takes 2 weeks to obtain, and involves a considerable amount of paperwork, we have made the difficult decision to stop offering these products to Northern Irish customers. We can still offer equipment, i.e. products with an 'E' code, as these simply require customs documentation.

We apologise for the inconvenience and if the legislation changes we will review our decision.

British Islands

Delivery charges to the Isle of Man, Channel Islands (including Jersey & Guernsey), Shetland, Orkney and all the other islands we've missed, are the same as to mainland Britain (see above). The main difference is that delivery is likely to take a little longer, and for this reason we cannot guarantee next day delivery.

In addition, we cannot ship any liquids, so any 'wet' specimen ordered will be sent vacuum packed rather than in a jar.

International Orders

We welcome international orders but please note only non-perishable and non-animal derivative items, i.e. only those with codes starting with an 'E', can be sent.

Buyer is responsible for all import duties and taxes. EU businesses need to supply an EORI number before we can ship.

EU Delivery: £28

If you wish to buy something very small/lightweight, or need urgent delivery, please contact us for a postage quote, otherwise standard charges apply.

Click here for contact information >>

Click here for our returns policy >>