Cryopreservation of basidiomycete strains using perlite

A new alternative method using perlite as a particulate solid carrier in th e growth medium with a cryoprotectant was successfully tested for cryoprese rvation of several basidiomycete species from different genera (Armillaria, Pleurotus, Pluteus, Polyporus) which failed to survive or retain their pro perties in cryopreservation procedures routinely used in our laboratory. Fr ozen basidiomycete strains were kept in cryovials submerged in liquid nitro gen and were either immediately after the freezing process or after a 6-mon th storage thawed and checked for viability, purity and changes in growth, morphology and biochemical characteristics. All cultures survived the cryop reservation procedure and no negative effects of cryopreservation by this m ethod have been observed after 6 months of storage in liquid nitrogen. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.