ARS | Publication request: Steps Towards Understanding the Drying Tolerance of Cryptococcus Flavescens Oh 182.9: a Biocontrol Agent of Fusarium Head Blight

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: September 19, 2006
Publication Date: October 1, 2006
Citation: Dunlap, C.A., Evans, K.O., Schisler, D.A. 2006. Steps towards understanding the drying tolerance of Cryptococcus flavescens OH 182.9: A biocontrol agent of Fusarium head blight [abstract]. NATO Advanced Study Institute Meeting. Paper No. 55.

Technical Abstract: The physicochemical properties of Cryptococcus flavescens OH 182.9 that influence drying tolerance were examined. 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 C. flavescens should be a suitable commercial biological control candidate for Fusarium head blight. Developing C. flavescens into a commercially viable biocontrol agent requires knowledge of its environmental limitations. The current study evaluates the osmotic shock tolerance and membrane properties of C. flavescens and their role in drying survival.