The microbiology of saturated salt solutions and other harsh environments, I. Growth of a salt-dependent bacterial form in LiCL-saturated nutrient broth.

Abstract

An organism resembling Bacillus megatherium was discovered growing in some LiCl- (or LiOAc-) saturated glucose-peptone-yeast broth media as a virtually pure culture after incubation at 25[degree]C for 6 mo. It was subsequently cultured in LiCl agar with a generation time of about 170 hr. When the ionic strength and osmotic pressure of the medium were markedly reduced by dilution with water, the cell contents disappeared rapidly and irreversibly leaving a nearly empty cell envelope. Dilution with saturated NaCl, which lowers osmotic pressure far more than ionic strength, did not cause lysis. This form appears to be an obligate halophile resistant ot severe osmotic stress.