Viability and morphological stability of Absidia strains during long-term maintenance under mineral oil

• Published in: Journal of basic microbiology Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 133 - 136
• Main Authors: Santos, Manoel J. S., Trufem, Sandra F. B., de Oliveira, Pedrina C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin WILEY-VCH Verlag Berlin GmbH 01-05-2000; WILEY‐VCH Verlag Berlin GmbH
• Subjects: Absidia; Absidia corymbifera; Solanum tuberosum
• ISSN: 0233-111X; 1521-4028
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1521-4028(200005)40:2<133::AID-JOBM133>3.0.CO;2-W

The viability and morphological features of 23 subcultures of Absidia corymbifera, 7 of Absidia ramosa and 7 of Absidia blakesleeana that were preserved in potato dextrose agar (PDA) under sterile mineral oil at room temperature in the Fungal Culture Collection of Instituto Oswaldo Cruz for periods ranging from 3 to 44 years were examined. The subcultures were transferred to the same culture medium (PDA) on which they were preserved. Permanent preparations were made to check the identity of all viable subcultures. The identity was confirmed by comparing the material under study with published descriptions. Eighty one percent (81%) of the subcultures with different dates duration of preservation was viable under oil and maintained characteristics for species delineation whereas only 5% were dead and 14% were lost by contamination. This indicates that maintenance under mineral oil is an efficient technique for ensuring viability; morphological stabilities and spores formation of Absidia spp. strains during long‐term storage/maintenance in culture collections.