Currently there are three formats for the microorganisms supplied by the CECT, which are: 

• Freeze-dried samples. These are the traditional format used for the strains in the CECT. They are glass ampoules, in which the microorganisms have been subjected to a freeze-drying process, which involves the sublimation of the water in which they are suspended after freezing. The strains preserved like this can be viable for many years, provided that they are kept under proper storage conditions and also depending on the type of microorganism. To open the freeze-dried samples, we recommend you to follow the instructions  attached to the strains. The following video shows all the steps to follow.  http://mediauni.uv.es/2932en

• Active culture. This is a culture of the microorganism requested in the culture medium suited to its growth. In this case, no recovery process is needed because the microorganism is already physiologically active and ready for its use.
• Acticult® 3R. Through this format we want to help the user to prepare back up batches of the CECT strains, by supplying them with a tube of the requested strain in active culture and three cryovials with a protective solution so that the users can prepare a backup batch by themselves, which must be storage at - 20°C.
• CECT® 6R. This format consist of six cryovals containing a cryopreservation solution already inoculated with an active culture of a CECT reference strain. It requires immediate storage at -20 °C (or at 4°C if indicated explicitly in the box).
• Genomic DNA. A microtube of total dried-freezed DNA of a reference strain of the CECT is supplied.