Comparison of several methods for preserving bacteriophages.
A wide variety of bacteriophages were processed and stored under different conditions to compare methods for long-term preservation. Specimens were stored for 2 years at room temperature (24 to 28 C) and at 4 C as broth lysates in 50% glycerol, dried, and freeze-dried. Titers determined after processing indicated that, of the broth, glycerol, and freeze-dry methods, freeze-drying was most damaging to the phages tested, glycerol less damaging, and the broth method least damaging. After 2 years, titers of broth lysates were generally higher than those of glycerol or freeze-dried preparations. Dried preparations generally did not prove satisfactory. Preparations stored at 4 C showed better titers than those kept at room temperature. All titers declined with time regardless of the conditions of preservation.
D001435:Bacteriophages; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005990:Glycerol; D012034:Refrigeration
D005990:Glycerol
BACTERIOPHAGE; FREEZE DRYING; REFRIGERATION