The isolation and preliminary characterization of a halophilic photosynthetic bacterium.

Abstract

The isolation of a photosynthetic bacterium which is apparently an obligate halophile is reported. The organism (strain SL-1) grows in a medium with either thiosulfate of sulfide and bicarbonate containing 22% NaCl but not in one containing 4% NaCl. The morphology is abnormal in media with 8% NaCl. Strain SL-1 is an obligate anaerobe. The major carotenoid pigment is spirilloxanthin. The spectrum of the chlorophyllous pigment is very similar to that of bacteriochlorophyll; however, its identity with bacteriochlorophyll has not been demonstrated.