Method for the routine preservation of micro-organisms [24]

Abstract

WHEN carrying out experiments with micro-organisms over a long period of time, say 5 years, it is extremely difficult to ensure that the source material remains unchanged. One method is to prepare a large number of ampoules of the freeze-dried micro-organisms and to use these for inoculation of cultures as required, but the large storage space necessary presents a difficulty, especially if more than one species of micro-organism is to be preserved. The number of ampoules necessary can be decreased if each ampoule is used to inoculate a cooked meat medium1, which is then cultured and stored at 4°C, but this method has limitations: viability decreases in cooked meat broth, and fresh broths have to be inoculated at intervals of about 3 months. © 1968 Nature Publishing Group.