STORAGE OF LYOPHILIZED DERMATOPHYTE CULTURES

Viability of lyophilized fungus cultures was tested after one year storage at a tem-perature of 2 to 6°C. In 10 of 13 lyophilized cultures a slight but non-significant decrease in viability occurred. Only for 3 lyophilized strains stored in a refrigerator less than 78 % of the fungus units were viable when compared with original values found immediately after lyophilization. This decrease was significant. Viability of all lyophilized cultures stored at room temperature decreased significantly or highly significantly with no differences between samples stored in the dark or light. Viability, refrigerator, room temperature, dark, light. Lyophilization has been successfully employed for long-term storage of various microorganism cultures. It is of great importance also in mycology. Lyophilized cultures of fungus retain their vital properties for years without demonstrating pleiomorphism or other changes. Thus strain properties remain unchanged, Ii fact which creates advantages in the field of biotechnology. Ho-wever, experiments have shown that for some fungal cultures this mode of storage is not suitable. Among such fungi are also numerous strains of dermatophytes. For these dermatophyte cultures the best survival following lyophilization was found in those which formed large numbers o