Twenty four strains of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) were preserved in paraffin oil at room temperature over a period ranging from 1 year and 7 months to 10 years and 2 months. Twenty two strains could be revived by the described method, with an overall revival rate of 90%. The mycelial morphology and vigour was unaffected after preservation and revival. Six strains had produced asexual spores in vitro before preservation and 4 of them retained these characteristics. Basidioma primordia were produced, in vitro, by 6 of the 22 strains that were revived. Ten years was the optimum period. Storage at about 24 C did not affect the viability of the strains.
Dighe S., Kulkarni S. M. (1998): Revival of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) strains after mineral oil preservation. – Czech Mycology 50(3): 185–188.
