Storage and preservation of temperate mushroom cultures, agaricus bisporus and pleurotus Florida.

Two temperate mushroom cultures namely Agaricus bisporus (U-3) and Pleurotus florida (PAU-5) were evaluated for their physiological (linear growth and biomass production), biochemical (β-1,4 endoglucanase production) and fruiting behaviour after preservation in 10% (v/v) glycerol and storage at room temperature (25-35°C), -20°C and -196°C for 6 months with the objective of establishing the recovery/changes in these fungi after storage. Studies indicated that the viability and recovery of A. bisporus and P. florida is affected by the storage conditions. Both the fungi could be best stored in liquid nitrogen for longer durations but for regular use, conventional sub-culturing was appropriate.