Protectants used in the cryopreservation of microorganisms

Cryopreservation at -20 and -70 °C of Pleurotus ostreatus on Grains

Alternative substrates for cryopreservation at -20 °C have been little explored for basidiomycetes and could bring new possibilities of lower cost cryopreservation. Nevertheless, freezing temperatures between -15 and -60 °C are very challenging because they frequently result in cryoinjuries. The objective of this study was to evaluate substrates associated to cryoprotective agents for Pleurotus ostreatus cryopreservation at -20 or -70 °C in order to develop alternative techniques for basidiomycete cryopreservation. P. ostreatus was grown on potato dextrose agar or whole grains of oat, wheat, rice or millet and transferred to cryovials with cryoprotective solution with 1 % dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 % glycerol, 10 % saccharose, 4 % glucose, 6 % polyethylene glycol-6000 or 5 % malt extract. The mycelium in the cryovials were cryopreserved at -20 or -70 °C and recovered for evaluation of the mycelial growth viability after 1 and 3 years. Both substrates and cryoprotectants affect the viability of the mycelial growth cryopreserved at -20 or -70 °C; wheat grains combined with cryoprotectants such as saccharose or glucose are effective for keeping mycelium viable after cryopreservation at -20 °C for 1 or 3 years; for cryopreservation at -70 °C after 1 or 3 years, any substrate combined with any cryoprotectant is effective for preserving the mycelium viable, except for millet grains with polyethylene glycol after 3 years; semi-permeable cryoprotective agents such as saccharose and glucose are the most effective for cryopreservation at -20 or -70 °C for at least 3 years.

Towards a xeno-free and fully chemically defined cryopreservation medium for maintaining viability, recovery, and antigen-specific functionality of PBMC during long-term storage

Analysis of cryopreserved peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) is important for evaluating new vaccines in immune based therapies and in pathogenesis studies. To ensure comparable assay results from different laboratories and points of time, collaborative research in multicenter trials needs reliable and reproducible cryopreservation protocols that maintain cell viability and functionality. Current cryomedia consist largely of fetal bovine serum (FBS), a natural mix of growth factors, cytokines, and undefined compounds. Standardized procedures are not possible, as FBS can affect the antigen-specific T-cell response, the most important parameter in functionality assays. Also, worldwide sample exchange is complicated by the strict import restrictions on FBS, because of transfection risk. After establishing a serum-free cryopreservation protocol that maintains cell viability, recovery and antigen-specific T-cell response of PBMC comparably to FBS-based cryomedia (Germann et al., 2011), the aim of this study was the complete avoidance of animal proteins and products in combination with efficient cryopreservation. As long-term stability of the cryopreservation process is crucial for retrospective evaluation of samples at different points of time, PBMC were analyzed after storage for maximal four weeks and again after approximately six months. The cryopreservation efficiency of the protein-free and fully chemically defined cryomedium was comparable to FBS-medium after storage for few weeks and several months. Directly after thawing, this medium yielded viabilities over 97% and recovery values over 84%. Also, the specific T-cell functionality was preserved. Additionally, short-term and six month cryopreservation gave comparable results. The fully chemically defined medium presented here will increase standardization and reproducibility of analysis in multicenter-studies or in retrospective evaluation.

Survival or revival: long-term preservation induces a reversible viable but non-culturable state in methane-oxidizing bacteria

Knowledge on long-term preservation of micro-organisms is limited and research in the field is scarce despite its importance for microbial biodiversity and biotechnological innovation. Preservation of fastidious organisms such as methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) has proven difficult. Most MOB do not survive lyophilization and only some can be cryopreserved successfully for short periods. A large-scale study was designed for a diverse set of MOB applying fifteen cryopreservation or lyophilization conditions. After three, six and twelve months of preservation, the viability (via live-dead flow cytometry) and culturability (via most-probable number analysis and plating) of the cells were assessed. All strains could be cryopreserved without a significant loss in culturability using 1% trehalose in 10-fold diluted TSB (TT) as preservation medium and 5% DMSO as cryoprotectant. Several other cryopreservation and lyophilization conditions, all of which involved the use of TT medium, also allowed successful preservation but showed a considerable loss in culturability. We demonstrate here that most of these non-culturables survived preservation according to viability assessment indicating that preservation induces a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state in a significant fraction of cells. Since this state is reversible, these findings have major implications shifting the emphasis from survival to revival of cells in a preservation protocol. We showed that MOB cells could be significantly resuscitated from the VBNC state using the TT preservation medium.

Comparison of cryopreservation methods for the long term storage of the marine diatom Haslea ostrearia (simonsen)

Long term maintenance of microalgal strains by serial subculturing is often expensive and time-consuming. Alternative methods, such as cryopreservation, present several benefits and thus seem more relevant. Our study aimed at comparing two cryopreservation procedures applied to the marine diatom Haslea ostrearia (Simonsen): (1) a two-step freezing method in liquid media using 5%, 10% and 20% MeOH, Me₂SO or Glycerol, and (2) an immobilization-dehydration method consisting in an algal cell entrapped in 0.7 M sucrose dehydrated and air-flow desiccated calcium alginate beads before "direct" or "two-step" freezing. Our results showed that the cryopreservation of H. ostrearia was feasible. With the two-step freezing protocol only Me₂SO maintained cell viability without contamination but the low percentage of viability (<10%) prevents its use. Conversely, the immobilization-dehydration methods tested in this study were effective. Average viability of 57% and 77% were obtained with the "direct" and the "two step" cooling assays respectively, ensuring preservation of the genetic traits of H. ostrearia.

Interspecific differences in cryoresistance of lichen symbiotic algae of genus Trebouxia assessed by cell viability and chlorophyll fluorescence

Unicellular algae of genus Trebouxia are the most frequent symbiotic photobionts found in lichen species adapted to extreme environments. When lichenised, they cope well with freezing temperature of polar regions, high-mountains environments and were successfully tested in open-space experiments. Trebouxia sp. is considered potential model species for exobiological experiments. The aim of this paper is to evaluate cryoresistence of Trebouxia sp. when isolated from lichen thalli and cultivated on media. In our study, six algal strains were exposed to repeated freezing/thawing cycles. The strains of Trebouxia sp. (freshly isolated from lichen Lasallia pustulata), Trebouxia erici, Trebouxia asymmetrica, Trebouxia glomerata, Trebouxia irregularis, and Trebouxia jamesii from culture collection were cooled from 25 to -40 °C at two different rates. The strains were also shock frozen in liquid nitrogen. After repeated treatment, the strains were inoculated and cultivated on a BBM agar for 7 days. Then, cell viability was assessed as relative share of living cells. Potential quantum yield of photochemical reactions in PS II (F(V)/F(M)), and effective quantum yield of photochemical reactions in PS II (Φ(PSII)) were measured. While the slow cooling rate (0.5 °C min(-1)) did not cause any change in viability, F(V)/F(M), and Φ(PSII), the fast cooling rate (6.0 °C min(-1)) caused species-specific decrease in all parameters. The most pronounced interspecific differences in cryoresistance were found after shock freezing and consequent cultivation. While T. asymmetrica and T. jamesii exhibited low viability of living cells (18.9% and 34.7%) and full suppression of photosynthetic processes, the other strains had viability over 60%, and unaffected values of F(V)/F(M), and Φ(PSII). This indicated a high degree of cryoresistance of T. glomerata, T. erici, T. irregularis and Trebouxia sp. strains. These strains could be used for detailed investigation of underlying physiological mechanisms and as models for astrobiological tests taken in the Earth facilities.

Rapid and simple cryopreservation of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria

A quick and simple protocol for long-term cryopreservation of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (anammox bacteria) was developed. After 29 weeks of preservation at -80°C, activity recovery for all tested cultures under at least one of the applied sets of preservation conditions was observed. Growth recovery was also demonstrated for a single-cell culture of "Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis."

Biotechnologies for the management of genetic resources for food and agriculture

In recent years, the land area under agriculture has declined as also has the rate of growth in agricultural productivity while the demand for food continues to escalate. The world population now stands at 7 billion and is expected to reach 9 billion in 2045. A broad range of agricultural genetic diversity needs to be available and utilized in order to feed this growing population. Climate change is an added threat to biodiversity that will significantly impact genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA) and food production. There is no simple, all-encompassing solution to the challenges of increasing productivity while conserving genetic diversity. Sustainable management of GRFA requires a multipronged approach, and as outlined in the paper, biotechnologies can provide powerful tools for the management of GRFA. These tools vary in complexity from those that are relatively simple to those that are more sophisticated. Further, advances in biotechnologies are occurring at a rapid pace and provide novel opportunities for more effective and efficient management of GRFA. Biotechnology applications must be integrated with ongoing conventional breeding and development programs in order to succeed. Additionally, the generation, adaptation, and adoption of biotechnologies require a consistent level of financial and human resources and appropriate policies need to be in place. These issues were also recognized by Member States at the FAO international technical conference on Agricultural Biotechnologies for Developing Countries (ABDC-10), which took place in March 2010 in Mexico. At the end of the conference, the Member States reached a number of key conclusions, agreeing, inter alia, that developing countries should significantly increase sustained investments in capacity building and the development and use of biotechnologies to maintain the natural resource base; that effective and enabling national biotechnology policies and science-based regulatory frameworks can facilitate the development and appropriate use of biotechnologies in developing countries; and that FAO and other relevant international organizations and donors should significantly increase their efforts to support the strengthening of national capacities in the development and appropriate use of pro-poor agricultural biotechnologies.

Effect of Fructo-Oligosaccharide, Isomalto-Oligosaccharide, Inulin and Xylo-Oligosaccharide on Survival of B. Bifidum during Freeze-Drying

Four different prebiotics including fructo-oligosaccharide isomalto-oligosaccharide, inulin and xylo-oligosaccharide were screened for their effects on survival of Bifidobacterium bifidum during freeze-drying. The additions of prebiotics (v/v) were all 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20%. The results showed that prebiotics could act on Bifidobacterium Bifidum. The optimum concentration of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) in samples for surival of Bifidobacterium bifidum was 12% and for viable count was 20％. Addition of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) played a significant role in promoting cell viablity when it was in low level. The optimum concentration of isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) for surival of Bifidobacterium bifidum was 16% and for viable count was 12％, while inulin in samples for surival and viable cell of Bifidobacterium bifidum both was 4％.

Physiological studies on microalgal culture additives to optimize growth rate and oil content

Insulin, in nature, has a stimulatory effect on microorganisms. These effects include the acceleration of sugar metabolism, triacylglycerol anabolism, growth rate, and formation of oils. We also observed that insulin may cause indirect activation of triacylglycerol lipase by forcing the cell to permanently require an energy source. Thus, cells can consume all of their accumulated internal fuel sources such as lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. After studying the effects of using two types of insulin (Humulin 70/30, and human insulin expressed in yeast) at different concentrations on microalgae (Chlorella sp.), we found that with certain concentrations of insulin (1:3.3 ml unit Humulin 70/30 per ml; 1:2.6 ml unit yeast insulin per ml), there was an increase in algal growth rate and decrease in cell size. We therefore studied the effect of insulin under conditions of lipase inhibition by Triton WR 1339 (Tyloxapol), which was used at different concentrations with and without insulin. We found strong regression in the growth rate with increasing Triton concentrations. However, we also observed that the cell size under the effect of Triton and Triton-insulin was larger than the cell size under the effect of insulin alone, and also larger than for control cells. Also, the oil content of the Triton-insulin cells was higher than those of the control cells or the cells under the effect of insulin alone.

Biological and Physicochemical Characterization of a Serum-and Xeno-Free Chemically Defined Cryopreservation Procedure for Adult Human Progenitor Cells

While therapeutic cell transplantations using progenitor cells are increasingly evolving towards phase I and II clinical trials and chemically defined cell culture is established, standardization in biobanking is still in the stage of infancy. In this study, the EU FP6-funded CRYSTAL (CRYo-banking of Stem cells for human Therapeutic AppLication) consortium aimed to validate novel Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to perform and validate xeno-free and chemically defined cryopreservation of human progenitor cells and to reduce the amount of the potentially toxic cryoprotectant additive (CPA) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). To achieve this goal, three human adult progenitor and stem cell populations—umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived erythroid cells (UCB-ECs), UCB-derived endothelial colony forming cells (UCB-ECFCs), and adipose tissue (AT)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs)—were cryopreserved in chemically defined medium supplemented with 10% or 5% DMSO. Cell recovery, cell repopulation, and functionality were evaluated postthaw in comparison to cryopreservation in standard fetal bovine serum (FBS)-containing freezing medium. Even with a reduction of the DMSO CPA to 5%, postthaw cell count and viability assays indicated no overall significant difference versus standard cryomedium. Additionally, to compare cellular morphology/membrane integrity and ice crystal formation during cryopreservation, multiphoton laser-scanning cryomicroscopy (cryo-MPLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. Neither cryo-MPLSM nor SEM indicated differences in membrane integrity for the tested cell populations under various conditions. Moreover, no influence was observed on functional properties of the cells following cryopreservation in chemically defined freezing medium, except for UCB-ECs, which showed a significantly reduced differentiation capacity after cryopreservation in chemically defined medium supplemented with 5% DMSO. In summary, these results demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of standardized xeno-free cryopreservation of different human progenitor cells and encourage their use even more in the field of tissue-engineering and regenerative medicine.

Arbutin's suppression of cryodamage in goat sperm and its mechanism of cryoprotection

Arbutin (4-hydroxyphenyl-glucopyranoside) is a glycosylated hydroquinone present in high concentrations in the leaves of several plants capable of surviving prolonged, extreme dehydration. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of arbutin on cryopreservation of goat sperm. In Experiment 1, goat sperm were frozen in extenders with various ratios of Tris-citric acid-glucose (TCG) and arbutin; concentrations of the latter were 0.0 (only TCG), 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 M (only arbutin)]. All extenders had 20% (v/v) egg yolk (EY) and 4% (v/v) glycerol (osmolality = 370 mOsm, pH = 7.0). Sperm motility and acrosome integrity were assessed using CASA, and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA), respectively. Percentages of motile and progressively motile sperm improved with the addition of arbutin; results were optimal (89.0 and 70.0%, respectively; P < 0.05), with 0.4 M arbutin. Furthermore, arbutin improved (P < 0.05) post-thaw recovery rates for both motility and progressive motility. After incubation for 3 h, motility of frozen-thawed washed sperm improved (70%, P < 0.05) with arbutin in the extender. The percentage of sperm with an intact acrosome peaked (77.2%, P < 0.05) with 0.4 M arbutin in the extender. In Experiment 2, the percentage of cells with merocyanine 540/Yo-Pro staining was higher in sperm treated with arbutin than with TCG (P < 0.05), with the best result (58.0%) with 0.4 M arbutin; therefore, arbutin increased membrane fluidity. In conclusion, substitution of a TCG-EY diluent composition with arbutin improved freezability of goat sperm (apparently due to increased membrane fluidity). Furthermore removal of arbutin by centrifugation after freezing and thawing increased sperm longevity.

Collection and preservation of frozen microorganisms

The storage of the different microorganisms over long periods is necessary to ensure reproducible results and continuity in research and in biomedical processes and also for commercial purposes. Effective storage means that a microorganism is maintained in a viable state free of contamination or genetic drift and must be easily restored without genotypic or phenotypic alterations to its original characteristics and properties. To this end, different techniques have been described and advances in cryopreservation technology have led to methods that allow low-temperature maintenance of a variety of cell types, minimizing the risks of genetic change and are now recommended for long-term storage of most microorganisms.This chapter summarizes the most important steps and components in the process of low- and -ultra-low temperatures freezing of bacteria, parasites, yeasts and fungi, viruses, and recombinant microorganisms.

Enhancement of viability of a probiotic Lactobacillus strain for poultry during freeze-drying and storage using the response surface methodology

A rotatable central composite design (CCD) was used to study the effect of cryoprotectants (skim milk, sucrose and lactose) on the survival rate of a probiotic Lactobacillus strain, L. reuteri C10, for poultry, during freeze-drying and storage. Using response surface methodology, a quadratic polynomial equation was obtained for response value by multiple regression analyses: Y = 8.59546-0.01038 X(1)-0.09382 X(2)-0.07771 X(3)-0.054861 X(1)(2)-0.04603 X(3)(2)-0.10938 X(1)X(2). Based on the model predicted, sucrose exerted the strongest effect on the survival rate. At various combinations of cryoprotectants, the viability loss of the cells after freeze-drying was reduced from 1.65 log colony forming units (CFU)/mL to 0.26-0.66 log CFU/mL. The estimated optimum combination for enhancing the survival rate of L. reuteri C10 was 19.5% skim milk, 1% sucrose and 9% lactose. Verification experiments confirmed the validity of the predicted model. The storage life of freeze-dried L. reuteri C10 was markedly improved when cryoprotectants were used. At optimum combination of the cryoprotectants, the survival rates of freeze-dried L. reuteri C10 stored at 4°C and 30°C for 6 months were 96.4% and 73.8%, respectively. Total viability loss of cells which were not protected by cryoprotectants occurred after 12 and 8 weeks of storage at 4°C and 30°C, respectively.

Selection of low-temperature resistance in bacteria and potential applications

Microbial consortia may harbour an array of resistance mechanisms that facilitate survival under harsh conditions, including antifreeze and ice-nucleation proteins. Antifreeze proteins lower freezing points as well as inhibit the growth of large, potentially damaging ice crystals from small ice embryos. In contrast, ice-nucleation proteins prevent supercooling and allow ice formation at high, sub-zero temperatures. Psychrophiles and psychrotolerant microbes are typically sought in extremely cold environments. However, given that geography is unlikely to present an insurmountable barrier to microbial dispersal, we reasoned that species with low-temperature adaptations should also be present, although rare, in more temperate environments. In consequence, the challenge then becomes one of selecting for rare microbes present in a larger community. Following the introductory commentary, we demonstrate that both freeze-thaw survival and ice-affinity selection can be used to identify microbes, which demonstrate low-temperature resistance, from enrichments derived from temperate environments. Selection resulted in a drastic decrease in cell abundance and diversity, allowing the isolation of a subset of resistant microbes. Depending on the origin of the consortia, these resistant microbes demonstrated cross-tolerance to osmotic stress, or a high proportion of antifreeze and/or ice-nucleation protein activities. Both types of ice-associating proteins presumably facilitate microbial survival at low temperatures. These proteins, as well as molecules that maintain osmotic balance, are also of commercial interest, with applications in the food, energy and medical industries. In addition, the resistant phenotypes described here provide a glimpse into the breadth of strategies microbes use to survive and thrive at low temperatures.

An investigation into the preservation of microbial cell banks for α-amylase production during 5 l fed-batch Bacillus licheniformis fermentations

Fluorescent staining techniques were used for a systematic examination of methods used to cryopreserve microbial cell banks. The aim of cryopreservation here is to ensure subsequent reproducible fermentation performance rather than just post thaw viability. Bacillus licheniformis cell physiology post-thaw is dependent on the cryopreservant (either Tween 80, glycerol or dimethyl sulphoxide) and whilst this had a profound effect on the length of the lag phase, during subsequent 5 l fed-batch fermentations, it had little effect on maximum specific growth rate, final biomass concentration or α-amylase activity. Tween 80 not only protected the cells during freezing but also helped them recover post-thaw resulting in shorter process times.

Pilot-scale production and viability analysis of freeze-dried probiotic bacteria using different protective agents

The functional food industry requires an improvement of probiotic strain stability during storage, especially when they are stored at room temperature. In this study, the viability of freeze-dried Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501(®) and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502(®) using different protective agents (i.e., glycerine, mannitol, sorbitol, inulin, dextrin, Crystalean(®)) was determined and compared with semi skimmed milk (SSM) control. No significant differences were observed between the tested protectants and the control (SSM) during storage at refrigerated conditions. During storage at room temperature, only glycerine was found to stabilize viability better than other tested substances.

Cryopreservation of stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue in a serum-free freezing medium

Developing effective techniques for the cryopreservation of human adipose-derived adult stem cells could increase the usefulness of these cells in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Unfortunately, the use of serum and a commonly used cryoprotectant chemical, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), during cryopreservation storage restricts the direct translation of adult stem cells to in vivo applications. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue can be effectively cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen, using a freezing medium containing high molecular weight polymers, such as methylcellulose (MC) and/or polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP), as the cryoprotective agent (CPA) instead of DMSO. To this end, we investigated the post-freeze/thaw viability and apoptotic behaviour of SVF of adipose tissue frozen in 16 different media: (a) the traditional medium containing Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 80% fetal calf serum (FCS) and 10% DMSO; (b) DMEM with 80% human serum (HS) and 10% DMSO; (c) DMEM with 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% DMSO; (d) DMEM with 1% MC and 10% of either HS or FCS or DMSO; (e) DMEM with 10% PVP and varying concentrations of FCS (0%, 10%, 40% or 80%); (f) DMEM with 10% PVP and 10% HS. Approximately 1 ml (10(6) cells/ml) of SVF cells were frozen overnight in a -80 degrees C freezer and stored in liquid nitrogen for 2 weeks before being rapidly thawed in a 37 degrees C water bath (1-2 min agitation), resuspended in culture medium and seeded in separate wells of a six-well plate for a 24 h incubation period at 37 degrees C. After 24 h, the thawed samples were analysed by brightfield microscopy and flow cytometry. The results suggest that the absence of DMSO (and the presence of MC) significantly increases the fraction of apoptotic and/or necrotic SVF cells. However, the percentage of viable cells obtained with 10% PVP and DMEM was comparable with that obtained in freezing medium with DMSO and serum (HS or FCS), i.e. approximately 54 +/- 14% and approximately 63 +/- 10%, respectively. Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation behaviour of the frozen thawed cells was also assessed, using histochemical staining. Our results suggest that post-thaw SVF cell viability and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiability can be maintained even when they are frozen in the absence of serum and DMSO but with 10% PVP in DMEM.

In vitro culture and cryopreservation of Uronema marinum isolated from farmed New Zealand groper (Polyprion oxygeneios)

An in vitro culture method was developed for the ciliated protozoa Uronema marinum isolated from New Zealand aquacultured groper (Polyprion oxygeneios). Both formulated media and sterile seawater supplemented with homogenised fish tissue as a food source supported growth of U. marinum achieving cell densities of up to 1 x 10(5)cells/mL in culture. A cryopreservation method based on a cryomix formula of 20% glycerol, 10% fetal bovine serum and 70% cultured U. marinum, incorporating a slow freeze method to -80 degrees C, then liquid nitrogen storage, allowed cryogenic storage of cells and successful re-culture up to 12 months in storage.

Viability of commercial wine yeasts during freezer storage in glycerol-based media

Glycerol-based medium (BM) with and without the addition of 1 g/L ascorbic acid (Asc) and/or 100 mg/L (+/-)-catechin (Cat) was tested for the storage of three commercial wine yeasts at -20 degrees C. The medium supplemented with Asc was also used to store 706 strains to verify the maintenance of the liquid state. A decline in survival throughout the storage period was observed. The media containing Asc maintained viability better than the other three. The BM caused a loss of viability of 7 orders for one strain and of 6 orders for the other two. All three strains exhibited a loss of viability of 4 orders when stored in BM+Asc. Two strains decreased viability by 5 orders while one strain by 4 orders, when stored in BM+Cat. Two strains decreased viability by 6 orders while one strain by 5 orders, when stored in BM+Asc+Cat. Regarding the physical state of the medium tested on 706 yeast strains, three cases were observed: completely liquid (56.5 %), liquid with only the upper part frozen (40.4 %) without involving the yeast biomass settled at the bottom, and completely frozen (3.12 %). It is practicable to prepare a BM that remains liquid at -20 degrees C enhancing yeast viability when Asc is added as cryoprotectant.