Maintaining and preserving actinomycetes cultures are essential elements for
systematic and biodiversity investigations. The influence of long-term preservation
on the survival of some locally isolated streptomycetes cultures was studied. The
storage duration varies from 5 to 15 years. 37.5 % of the viable streptomycetes
strains had been kept on Sabouraud-dextrose agar while the rest (62.5 %) was kept
on Malt extract agar.
Streptomyces violaceusruber
produced its characteristic
pigment even after 14 years under these conditions. Four of the recovered strains
were tested for their antimicrobial action. The activity was retained to 82-95 % from
the initial one. The method of preservation was found to be suitable for long-term
storage of strains producing antibiotics.
