ARS | Publication request: Osmotic Shock Tolerance and Membrane Properties of Cryptococcus Nodaensis Oh 182.9: a Biocontrol Agent of Fusarium Head Blight

Submitted to: National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: December 13, 2005
Publication Date: December 13, 2005
Citation: Dunlap, C.A., Evans, K.O., Schisler, D.A. 2005. Osmotic shock tolerance and membrane properties of cryptococcus nodaensis OH 182.9: A biocontrol agent of fusarium head blight [abstract]. National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings. p. 193.

Technical Abstract: Drying and stabilizing microbial biological control agents present a challenging problem. Drying and subsequent rehydration puts the microbe in high osmotic pressure gradients which can damage the cells. Understanding how cells respond to these pressures should lead to better methods for drying and rehydrating these cells. Our laboratory has previously shown Cryptococcus nodaensis OH 182.9 should be a suitable commercial biological control candidate for Fusarium head blight. Developing C. nodaensis into a commercially viable biocontrol agent requires knowledge of its environmental limitations. Our laboratory has previously shown C. nodaensis becomes more desiccation tolerant after cold shocking at 15 degrees C for twenty-four hours. The current study evaluates the osmotic shock tolerance of C. nodaensis with and without cold shocking. In addition, the membrane transition temperature of the cells is determined through fluorescence anisotropy experiments. The results show cold shocking C. nodaensis results in improved osmotic shock tolerance and changes in the cell membrane.