Skip to main content
Log in

Cryogenic light microscopy and the development of cooling protocols for the cryopreservation of filamentous fungi

  • Published:
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One hundred and ninety five strains of fungi were observed during freezing and thawing using a cryogenic light microscope. There was no obvious link between taxonomic position and their morphological response to freezing and thawing. The viability of seven of these strains was examined following freezing and thawing in the presence or absence of the cryoprotectants glycerol and dimethyl sulphoxide. Intracellular ice and hyphal shrinkage were not necessarily lethal events, but in many cases they affected the rate and quality of growth. Both cryoprotectants reduced shrinkage, shifted the cooling rate where intracellular ice formed in many cases, and improved the recovery of strains. The results presented aid the development of successful cryopreservation protocols.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Carte, A.E. 1961 Air bubbles in ice. Proceedings of the Physical Society 77, 757–768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coulson, G.E., Morris, G.J. & Smith, D. 1986 A cryomicroscopic study of Penicillium expansum hyphae during freezing and thawing. Journal of General Microbiology 132, 183–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franks, F. 1985 Biophysics and Biochemistry at Low Temperatures. Cambridge: Cambridge: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grout, B.W.W. & Morris, G.J. (eds) 1987 The Effects of Low Temperatures on Biological Systems. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, S.-W. 1960 Effects of ultralow preservation of fungus cultures with liquid nitrogen refrigeration. Mycologia 52, 527–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • IMI 1992 Culture collection catalogue. 10th edn. Wallingford: CAB International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, D.H. 1990 Osmophiles. In Microbiology of Extreme Environments, ed Edwards, C. pp. 117–146. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazur, P. 1977 Slow-freezing injury in mammalian cells. The Freezing of Mammalian Embryos, eds Elliot, K. & Whelan, J. Ciba Foundation Symposium, 52, 19–48.

  • Morris, G.J. & McGrath, J.J. 1981 Intracellular ice nucleation and gas bubble formation in Spirogyra. CryoLetters 2, 341–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, G.J., Smith, D. & Coulson, G.E. 1988 A comparative study of the morphology of hyphae during freezing with the viability upon thawing of 20 species of fungi. Journal of General Microbiology 134, 2897–2906.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polge, C., Smith, A.U. & Parkes, S. 1949 Revival of spermatozoa after dehydration at low temperatures. Nature (London) 164, 666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. 1993 Tolerance to freezing and thawing. In: Tolerance of fungi, ed Jennings. D.H. pp. 145–171. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D., Coulson, G.E. & Morris, G.J. 1986 A comparative study of the morphology and viability of hyphae of Penicillium expansum and Phytophthora nicotianae during freezing and thawing. Journal of General Microbiology 132, 2013–2021.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. & Onions, A.H.S. 1994 The Preservation and Maintenance of Living Fungi. 2nd edn. Wallingford: CAB International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. & Kolkowski, J. 1996 Fungi In: Preservation and Maintenance of Cultures Used in Biotechnology and Industry. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steponkus, P.L. & Dowgert, M.F. 1981 Gas bubble formation during intracellular ice formation. Cryo-letters 2, 42–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Leare, A. 1986 Resistance of germinating Phycomyces spores to desiccation, freezing and acids. FEMS Microbiology and Ecology 38, 251–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Leare, A. 1989 Trehalose, reserve and/or stress metabolite? FEMS Microbiology Reviews 63, 201–210.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smith, D., Thomas, V.E. Cryogenic light microscopy and the development of cooling protocols for the cryopreservation of filamentous fungi. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 14, 49–57 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008820432471

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008820432471

Navigation