Functional integrity and structural stability of freeze-dried ectomycorrhizal fungi established through viability assays.
Lyophilized vegetative mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi was subjected to various viability tests to confirm functional integrity. Physical integrity of freeze-dried cultures was comparable to that of non-lyophilized cultures. Inter- and intraspecific variations in morphology, physiology, and metabolic rate were maintained after lyophilization. Maintenance of total protein content confirmed metabolic stability. According to the assays of viability, a plating assay and determination of total biomass confirmed stable mitotic activity of the freeze-dried cultures.
Center for Mycorrhizal Research, Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi, India. krishna_sundari@yahoo.com
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SK
Sundari
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Adholeya
D005612:Freeze Drying; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
D005656:Fungal Proteins