Halophilic-blue-green algae

Abstract

The isolation of a halophilic blue-green alga, Aphanothece halophytica, from Great Salt Lake is described. The organism was cultured from waters with salinities up to saturated NaCl (about 30% w/v). It has an optimum salinity for growth of about 16% NaCl, but can grow very slowly even in saturated NaCl. Based on the study of the Great Salt Lake organism, and on a review of the earlier literature, it is concluded that despite recent reports to the contrary, true halophilic blue-green algae do exist.