Isolation and Cultivation of Halophilic Archaea from Solar Salterns Located in Peninsular Coast of India

Abstract

Two brightly red-pigmented, motile, rod and triangular-shaped, extremely halophilic archaea were isolated from saltern crystallizer ponds located in peninsular coast of India. They grew optimally at salt concentrations between 25 and 35% and did not grow below 20% salts. Thus, these isolates are among the most halophilic organisms known within the domain Bacteria. The isolate HA3 showed optimal growth at 42°C whereas HA9 showed optimal growth at 52°C. These haloversatile microorganisms were presumed as new strains of Haloarcula. H. quadrata (HA3) showed unusual broad spectrum antibiotic resistance pattern. The isolate HA9 was named as H. vallismortis var. cellulolytica due to its peculiar cellulolytic activity, though full taxonomic description is pending.

Isolation and Characterization of Haloarchaeal Strain from Puthalam Salt Pan located in the Southern Peninsular Coast of India

“…This is because halophiles show more or less wide ranges of growth at different salinities, but experience optimum growth at salinity significantly higher than sea water [19]. Studies on halophilic microorganisms isolated from ponds of China and Karak region showed their optimum growth at the temperature of 35°C to 40°C [20].…”

“…It was earlier thought that all extremely haloarchaea required a number of amino acids and no carbohydrates for their growth [19]. Halotolerant bacteria have wider metabolic activities so they use many carbon sources for growth [26].…”