Further Investigations on the Preservation of Molds

Abstract

SUMMARY Representative lyophil cultures of the Mucorales, Entomophthorales, Ascomycetes, Fungi Imperfecti and Actinomycetes, the majority being 17 years old, were opened. Of the 363 cultures tested, 331 were viable. Seventeen of those not viable did not contain spores. Morphological characteristics remained constant during lyophilization and, in a few exceptions where differences occurred, they were better than those periodically transferred. Of the 199 cultures of Mucorales preserved by the oil overlay method for more than 11 years, 79 were viable. Of the 241 cultures of Mucorales preserved on malt agar slants for more than 9 years, 45 were viable.