How to keep a Malassezia alive: two years experience in conservation of a culture collection

ROJAS, FLORENCIA; MUSSIN, JAVIER; SOSA, MARIA DE LOS ANGELES; LATORRE, WENCESLAO; GIUSIANO, GUSTAVO

Workshop; 4th International Workshop on Malassezia; 2020

The objective is to report our experience during two years in the preservation of the culture collection of different Malassezia species. From 2018 to date, all Malassezia yeasts isolate were subculture on modified Dixon?s medium for at least three consecutive times, until a yeast growth at 72 hours was achieved. Once the active growth of the strain was reached, isolates were culture on a hermetic plastic tube containing Dixon medium and subsequent sterile mineral oil was placement of for its maintenance, at room temperature. Controls of culture viability were performed at 3, 6, 9 ,12 and 18 months. Results and conclusion: Currently, culture collection include 74 Malassezia isolates of different species, Malassezia furfur, M. globosa, M. sympodilais, M. restricta, M. sloffiae. The recovery ranging was around 90%, higher than that reported in similar studies carried out in Malassezia. Mineral oil preservation method is easy, simple, and cost-effective for Malassezia yeasts conservation as it does not require any sophisticated tool and material.