FUNGAL STORAGE
Regular activities involving the study of fungi revolves round their ability to be preserved. In the
laboratory setting, they must be maintained in a situation that guarantees a near- constant state of their
physiology. Many pests are recognized as being an irritant to the fungi in store . This calls for appropriate
matrix to maintain them in purity and stability.
Role of mites in fungal storage
Mites are very destructive in mycology. The 2 genera : Tyroglyphus and Tarsonemus are of serious
concern on
fresh and degrading organic matter
leather-wears
mobile fomites eg insects
According to Commonwealth Agriculture and Bioscience International, CABI, damage caused by mites
can be 2-fold
raw consumption of culture
They activate contamination of the cultures through cross-inoculation. Serving as fomites, the
mites carry bacteria and other unwanted life forms and deposit on substrate not intended.
Prevention is achieved through
general hygiene, all incoming materials and personnel in the laboratories
sealing of incoming cultures
storage in cold temperature (refrigerator) or some form of seclusion or quarantining
General methods of precaution are
Hygiene
Fumigation
Mechanical and chemical barriers and
Protected storage
Hygiene- this offers best protection
Benches should be washed with acaricides, then clean off with alcohol as soon as infestation is suspected.
Acaricides include kelthane, tedion, chlorocide and actellic. None of these is markedly fungicidal: but can
irritate the skin midly- gloves (plastic or rubber) should be worn.
Fumigation- Fumigants can be placed in box cupboards in which fungi are stored. Chemicals like
Paradichlorobenzene (PCB) may be detrimental to fungal growth even at low concentrations . It’s on
record that Cypro & Kelthane applied as 2 drops on the culture plugs produced satisfactory
fungistatic/fungicidal effect.
Mechanical & Chemical barriers
Tubes/plates can be stood on a platform surrounded by water or oil. This gives protection against
crawling mites
Cigarette paper can be used for cotton wool-plugged tubes. Respected culture collection centres
like the CABI , UK recommends this step.
Regular activities involving the study of fungi revolves round their ability to be preserved. In the
laboratory setting, they must be maintained in a situation that guarantees a near- constant state of their
physiology. Many pests are recognized as being an irritant to the fungi in store . This calls for appropriate
matrix to maintain them in purity and stability.
Role of mites in fungal storage
Mites are very destructive in mycology. The 2 genera : Tyroglyphus and Tarsonemus are of serious
concern on
fresh and degrading organic matter
leather-wears
mobile fomites eg insects
According to Commonwealth Agriculture and Bioscience International, CABI, damage caused by mites
can be 2-fold
raw consumption of culture
They activate contamination of the cultures through cross-inoculation. Serving as fomites, the
mites carry bacteria and other unwanted life forms and deposit on substrate not intended.
Prevention is achieved through
general hygiene, all incoming materials and personnel in the laboratories
sealing of incoming cultures
storage in cold temperature (refrigerator) or some form of seclusion or quarantining
General methods of precaution are
Hygiene
Fumigation
Mechanical and chemical barriers and
Protected storage
Hygiene- this offers best protection
Benches should be washed with acaricides, then clean off with alcohol as soon as infestation is suspected.
Acaricides include kelthane, tedion, chlorocide and actellic. None of these is markedly fungicidal: but can
irritate the skin midly- gloves (plastic or rubber) should be worn.
Fumigation- Fumigants can be placed in box cupboards in which fungi are stored. Chemicals like
Paradichlorobenzene (PCB) may be detrimental to fungal growth even at low concentrations . It’s on
record that Cypro & Kelthane applied as 2 drops on the culture plugs produced satisfactory
fungistatic/fungicidal effect.
Mechanical & Chemical barriers
Tubes/plates can be stood on a platform surrounded by water or oil. This gives protection against
crawling mites
Cigarette paper can be used for cotton wool-plugged tubes. Respected culture collection centres
like the CABI , UK recommends this step.
