Preservation of Fungi by Suspension in Liquid Medium: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges

Preserving fungi in liquid media is an essential strategy for maintaining long-term viability, genetic stability, and phenotypic characteristics across diverse fungal species. Among the most widely used methods are storage in sterile distilled water, storage in mineral oil, and cryopreservation. Each technique is based on biological and biochemical principles, such as metabolic suppression, osmotic balance, protection against oxidative stress, and induction of quiescence. These principles minimize cell damage, maintain structural integrity, and ensure the recovery of highly viable cultures. The selection of a method depends on factors such as resource availability, storage period, characteristics of the preserved species, and the conservation objective, ranging from research to industrial or medical applications. The relevance of these techniques lies in their role in conserving fungal biodiversity over the long term and ensuring the availability of strains for scientific studies, industrial production, biotechnological applications, and biological control. Their correct implementation helps safeguard genetic resources against threats such as climate change, ensuring the reproducibility of research and continuity of production processes. Thus, preservation in liquid media represents not only a technical procedure but also a strategic tool for the bioeconomy, food security, and the development of sustainable solutions in health, agriculture, and industry sectors.