Long-term preservation of bacteria in washed sterile sand: A 14-year study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cryopreservation and lyophilization are standard methods for preserving microbial cultures, but they are expensive and labor-intensive, creating a barrier for resource-constrained laboratories. This study evaluated the efficacy of a simple and inexpensive alternative: long-term storage in washed and sterilized sand.

Methods

Fourteen bacterial strains from ten genera were preserved in sealed tubes containing washed and sterilized sand at room temperature. Viability, assessed by colony-forming units (CFU/g), was quantified at inoculation and after 7 and 14 years. Phenotypic stability was evaluated by comparing the pre- and post-storage profiles for enzyme activity and stress tolerance.

Results

After seven years, all 14 strains remained culturable with preserv

SUBMITTER: Manni A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12779036 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature