Characterization and Identification of Probable Halophiles

Abstract

Halophiliic microorganisms associated with degradation were investigated using a solid-solute solution of degraded wooden-cork samples mixed in saline water. The sodium benzoate sterilized solid samples were air dried, weighed to attain 1gm and added into a saline solution of 4.25g of normal Sodium Chloride (NaCl) dissolved in 500ml of distilled water with pH and temperature at 7.56 and 27oC respectively. Microbiological analysis using standard laboratory techniques were done to determine the probable isolates. Ten bacteria (Bacillus pumilus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Bacillus laterosporus, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Bacillus megaterium, Xanthomonas campestrii, Bacillus circulans, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter intermedius) and four fungal (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus flvus, and Rhizopus arrhizus) were confirmed present. The microorganisms demonstrated osmoregulatory ability in minimal salt concentration at pH of 7.56 and temperature of 27oC respectively. This also shows there is need for improved food preservation while using salt.