BACKGROUND The prosperity of Hallstatt (Salzkammergut region, Austria) is based on the richness of salt in the surrounding mountains and salt mining, which is documented as far back as 1500 years B.C. Substantial archaeological evidence of Bronze and Iron Age salt mining has been discovered, with a wooden staircase (1108 B.C.) being one of the most impressive and well preserved finds. However, ...

In order to find a unique proteinase, proteinase-producing bacteria were screened from fish sauce in Thailand. An isolated moderately halophilic bacterium was classified and named Filobacillus sp. RF2-5. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 49 kDa. The enzyme showed the highest activity at 60 degrees C and pH 10-11 under 10% NaCl, and was highly stable in the presence...

Five halophilic bacterial isolates namely SS1, SS2, SS3, SS5 and SS8 were isolated from soil sediments of Lunsu, a salty water body. All the bacterial isolates showed growth in LB medium containing up to 8.7% NaCl, pH 7-8 and at temperature range of 30-37°C. The bacterial isolates SS1 and SS3 require at least 3.8% NaCl for their growth, indicating their strict halophilic nature. Interestingly, ...

In comparison with the thermophilic and the alkaliphilic extremophiles, halophilic microorganisms have as yet found relatively few biotechnological applications. Halophiles are involved in centuries-old processes such as the manufacturing of solar salt from seawater and the production of traditional fermented foods. Two biotechnological processes involving halophiles are highly successful: the ...

Adding acid to brines or mixing acid phosphate with the salt used in preserving fish was recommended by Gibbons (Progr. Rep. Atlantic Fish. Exp. Sta., no. 14, p. 13, 1935), because it was observed that under acid conditions the halophilic bacteria that spoil salted fish cannot grow. The red halophile, Halobacterium cutirubrum, was found to be extremely sensitive to pH changes (Kushner and Bayle...

We examined the ability of a halophilic bacterium (WFP 1A) isolated from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site to accumulate uranium in order to determine the potential for biocolloid facilitated actinide transport. The bacterial cell Surface functional groups involved in the complexation of the actinide were determined by titration. Uranium, added as uran y] nitrate, was removed from sol...

Halophiles are salt-loving organisms that inhabit hypersaline environments and are well equipped to balance the osmotic pressure of the environment and resist the denaturing effects of salts. Halophiles can be grouped as slightly, moderately or extremely halophilic, depending on their requirement for NaCl. Moderately halophilic bacteria are microorganisms able to grow optimally in media contain...

Bacteria isolated from extreme environments have been shown to promote plant growth under challenging conditions. This study aimed examine the performance of extremophilic microorganisms salt stress and their ability improve tolerance soybean plants this stress. In vitro experiments showed that bacteria belonging genera Stenotrophomonas Exiguobacterium were halophilic displayed growth-promoting...