Viability of Fungus Cultures Preserved by Lyophilization

SUMMARY

Lyophilized ampules of 447 strains of fungi, mostly Aspergilli and Penicillia, were checked for viability. Many of the ampules had been processed 23 years previously. All strains sporulated in cultures made from lyophil preparations as well as, or better than, in agar slant cultures that had been periodically transferred many times. It was necessary to open a second lyophil ampule for only 11 strains to obtain viable cultures.