Abstract
Flow-cytometry and cryomicroscopy elucidated that the unicellular algal protist Euglena gracilis was undamaged by cryoprotectant added at 0 °C, and super-cooling in the absence of ice. Cryoinjuries were however induced by: osmotic shock resulting from excessive cryodehydration, intracellular ice, and fracturing of the frozen medium on thawing. Suboptimal cooling at ?0.3 °C min?1 to ?60 °C and osmotic shock invariably resulted in damage to the organism?s pellicle and osmoregulatory system causing, a significant (P > 0.005) increase in cell size. Cell damage was not repairable and led to death. The responses of E. gracilis to cryopreservation as visualised by flow-cytometry and cryomicroscopy assisted the development of an improved storage protocol. This comprised: cryoprotection with methanol [10%(v/v)] at 0 °C, cooling at 0.5 °C min?1 to ?60 °C, isothermal hold for 30 min, and direct immersion in liquid nitrogen. Highest post-thaw viability (>60%) was obtained using two-step thawing, which involved initial slow warming to ?130 °C followed by relatively rapid warming (not, vert, similar90 °C min?1) to ambient temperature (ca. 25 °C).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 261-268 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Cryobiology |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |
Keywords
- Cryomicroscopy
- Viability assessment
- Euglena gracilis
- Flow-cytometry
- Cryopreservation