Methods for Long-Term Storage of Pure Macromycete Cultures

Basidial macromycetes or macrofungi have a significant biotechnological potential and are promising targets for use in various industries such as food production, pharmaceuticals, and production of active compounds and polysaccharides. The commercial use of macrofungi implies the presence of large collections of cultures using storage protocols to preserve the viability, reproduction, genetic stability, and the ability to produce active compounds. As the list of commercially used species is extended, it is advisable to develop new protocols for the storage of strains and to optimize the existing protocols for new, promising types of macromycetes. It seems necessary to study in detail the effect of long periods of storage on their morphological and cultural characteristics, genetic stability, enzymatic activity, and ability to form sexual structures.