On some special problems of lyophilization of fungus organisms of medical importance

Abstract

Lyophilization of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and bacteriophages is, today, a normal method of a long-term preservation allowing to retain all their essential properties (1). Although this method of preservation has been known and practised more than these 50 years, it is not without interest to note that in a number of other unicellular organisms, above all in those belonging to the class of fungi (2-4), this ideal method of preservation is not yet so developed as to make its use possible (5-6). There are several reasons for this:1. These organisms have a more complicated morphological structure than bacteria and viruses already mentioned. 2. Their metabolism depends to a greater extent on external conditions. 3. They grow and multiply in a specific way. In the first stage of our study we tried to assess the lyophilization of three Candida strains quantitatively and qualitatively with regard to their viability in lyophilic media of different protective properties. Methodical procedures and their resultsThe study to solve 4 basic tasks:1. to prepare the given culture for lyophilization, 2. to find the most convenient lyophilic medium, 3. to determine methods of pre-freezing and lyophilization and 4. to assess qualitatively and quantitatively the viability of lyophilized cells. These partial tasks were being gradually solved and evaluated for three years.