Effect of concentrated aqueous saccharide solutions and agar media on the cryopreservation of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mycelia at −20°C

Abstract

Here, the utility of several aqueous saccharide solutions (30–50% (w/w)) for the cryopreservation of shiitake strains at −20°C was evaluated. In addition, the survival rates of mycelial disks on agar and mycelial pellets in the absence of agar were observed after cryopreservation. The results revealed that the ANCT-05072 strain was the best preserved as mycelial disks in 40% (w/w) maltose solution. The survival rate was 100% over a period of 8 weeks. The survival time in the presence of 40% (w/w) glucose solution was 4 weeks. However, a combination of mycelial pellets and either of the saccharide solutions did not achieve a 100% of survival rate.