Participation of halobacteria in crystal formation and the crystallization rate of NaCl

Abstract

The presence of extremely halophilic archaebacteria in NaCl solution increased the number and size of cubic crystals of halite formed and also yielded dendritic crystals. Various dissolved and suspended materials such as glucose, glycerol, casein hydrolysate, amino acids, ferrocyanide, silica gel, eubacteria, halobacteria, and surface layers (S‐layers) of Haloarcula strain SP8807 were evaluated for their ability to modify the crystal habit of halite. The results showed that whole cells and surface layers (S‐layers) of Haloarcula strain SP8807 were able to induce the formation of dendritic crystals. Negative staining and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel (SDS‐PAGE) analysis suggest that the proteinaceous constituents of extremely halophilic archaebacterial S‐layers may determine the crystal form of halite.