Results of the storage of freeze dried microbial cultures for 25 years

: Saprophytic microorganisms belonging to different physiological groups (Azotobacter, acetic, ammonifying, lactic and nodule bacteria, a phototrophous purple bacterium of the Chromatium genus, bacteria of the Micrococcus and Pseudomonas genera, and a yeast of the Candida genus) were stored at 3-6 degrees C for 25 years in the freeze-dried state. All of the strains were found to be viable after the storage. The number of viable cells decreased for some bacteria, but to a far less degree than when the cultures were kept immediately after the freeze-drying for a year at 30 degrees C.