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Volume :15 Issue : 2 1988
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Isolation and characterization of two new halophilic species of Bacillus from Saudi Arabia
Auther : ALT A. SALAMAH
Microbiology Unit, Department of Botany, College of Science. King Saud University
P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451. Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Two moderately halophilic bacterial isolates (BST and BSF) were obtained from Al-Kaseem Natural Salt Basin, Saudi Arabia. Isolate BST consists of short thick rods (1.2-1.5 x 2-3 mm). with central spherical spores, large distinctive circular white colonies and a DNA-base composition of 45 mol %. Isolate BSF consists of long thin rods (0.4-0.8 x 3-5 pm), with terminal spherical spores. small white-glossy circular colonies and a DNA-base composition of 38 mol %. Both isolates are Gram positive. heterotrophs, mesophiles, motile and require MgSO4, and NaCl for their growth. The optimum NaCl concentration is 10-22%. KC1 is not required for growth and it does not substitute NaCI. These isolates were classified as two new species of the genus Bacillus on the basis of their unique characteristics as compared to each other and with the species described in Bergeys Manual of Systematic Bacteriology.