Frozen stock of bacteria - Can all bacteria be prepared as frozen stock ? (Apr/08/2009 )

Hi all

my basic question again, I just purchased a bacteria (Erythrobacter) and the "product information sheet" of this bacteria show no any information on frozen stock preparation.

I feel strange because I purchased 3 bacteria before and all of their "product information sheet" these bacteria can be prepared as frozen stock with the procedure (although simple)

I am just wondering, can that bacteria be kept as frozed stock ?

thx

lactamase on Apr 9 2009, 05:40 AM said:

Lactamase, I do not understand your question.

You purchased a bacteria and you want to freeze it? or?

Oh, Sorry for that....

Actually, I am trying to growth it, but I also want to keep a stock in -80oC.....but I don't know whether it is possible or not....

lactamase on Apr 10 2009, 06:42 AM said:

It is a freezedried culture you bought?
If so ,then why not store it as a it is?

You can also email the company for more details, but I think it should not be a problem to store it in liquid nitrogen if you know how to. Most bacteria can be stored like that without problems, however some are harder to store or require other methods.

Try it. Grow a culture, in whatever medium your organism likes. Add 10% final glycerol, mix, wait 30 minutes, then place in the -80 freezer. The next day, streak out some frozen culture on a plate (avoiding thawing the frozen sample) and see if it grows. Write a blog entry with the right keywords, so the next person will be able to find it with Google. Or report back here.

most bacteria is ok with -80 C storage.

pito on Apr 10 2009, 06:08 PM said:

The bacteria is in lyophilized form, and the amount is very small. So, I am wondering whether I should use this tiny amount lyophilized bacteria to prepare forzen stock or growth it. Anyway, I aliquot it into 2.

Actually, the story is that. I ordered this bacteria, but it took about 6 months and ATCC replied me that this bacteria is difficult to grow.
Therefore, I am really afraid that I do something wrong, and I have to wait for another 6 months..........

phage434 on Apr 10 2009, 08:10 PM said:

thanks, phage, you are right..........I should try that first.........

lactamase on Apr 14 2009, 05:35 AM said:

Just out of curiosity, how "big" is your sample then? x gram?

And be sure to keep a bit in the freezedried form, just in case something goes wrong.

And why do you doubt between growing it and store it in -80°C? You do not need it at the moment for your work then? (you do not need to grow it at the moment?)

Anyway, a little hint: some websites contain lists with a species kept in liquid nitrogen at their institute... you should search a bit on those websites or ask the institute if you cant find it. So you will find out whether they have your bacteria in liquid nitrogen or not... so you will know if its possible to store it like that or not.
Anyway, I think it should not be a problem anyway. Just try it as phage434 said and be sure not to corrupt your sample.
Good luck with it.

The lyophilized sample will likely not be stable after opening in any case. I'd recommend just growing the culture and not trying to save some of the lyophilized sample, which probably won't work anyway -- and you won't know more about how to grow it then than you do now (assuming you've been diligent in your reading). ATCC will list the reommended culture medium and growth conditions. As they say -- just do it.