SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF HALOBACTERIUM SP. NRC-1 FOLLOWING INCUBATION AT - 15°C, FREEZING OR FREEZE-DRYING, AND THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CATIONS

摘要

Since extraterrestrial halite has been discovered in meteorites from Mars and since several extremely halophilic archaea were isolated from geologically ancient rock salt, the behaviour of halophilic microorganisms in Martian conditions is being investigated (1). Low temperatures and low water activity are particularly characteristic of the Martian surface. Experimental procedures were developed for testing the response of halobacteria to Martian or other extreme environmental conditions.