Solar Saltworks Research Articles

Potassium sulfate - A precious by- product for solar salt works

Potassium sulfate - A precious by- product for solar salt works

Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)-accumulating Halomonas improves the survival, growth, robustness and modifies the gut microbial composition of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae

The PHB-accumulating Halomonas strain was isolated from local solar saltworks and was cultured in CM culture medium with addition of 30 g L−1 glucose to favor the PHB accumulation in the cells. The effect of Halomonas-PHB on the survival, growth, osmotic stress tolerance, resistance against Vibrio anguillarum challenge and the gut microbial composition of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae were investigated. The postlarvae PL6 were fed Artemia nauplii enriched with Halomonas-PHB (HM.PHB), Halomonas without PHB accumulation (HM), commercial PHB particles (par.PHB) and non-enriched Artemia nauplii (Control), respectively, for two weeks. The results revealed that both Halomonas-PHB and particle PHB could improve the survival, growth, and enhance the robustness of the shrimp PLs under both challenge and non-challenged conditions. High throughput sequencing on gut microbiota indicated that Halomonas-PHB not only suppressed the propagation of Vibrio, but also diverged to gut microbiota towards to the probiotic bacteria propagation (i.e. Bacillus and Lactobacillus) in the gut. In conclusion, the Halomonas-PHB is more efficient than particle PHB in L. vannamei larviculture and thus can be applied as feed additive in shrimp culture.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS IN ÇAMALTI SOLAR SALTWORKS (İZMİR/TURKEY)

The multi-pond coastal solar salterns consist of a series of conjunctive saltponds, with a gradient of salinities ranging from seawater to NaCl precipitation. This region is anthropogenic supralittoral zones exploited for sea salt, which becomes progressively concentrated by evaporation. In this study, some biological characteristics of Camalti saltern was investigated, whic is the biggest marine coastal solar saltworks in Turkey. The Camalti saltern is a variable and dynamic ecosystem where 30-35 tons of water of water per minute are constantly circulating. Camalti saltworks was opened in 1863 and located the north of Izmir. It is 28km away from the city center. Generally, the saltworks contains of four divisions, namely the first and second saltworks, water ponds, and cristalisation ponds. Anually, the saltworks give 600000 tons of salt, which makes 35-40% of the salt produced in Turkey. Solar saltworks activities are normally ordinarily in wetlands, more specifically in salt swamps rich in biodiversity and represent distingtive biological systems which make them environmentally relevant. Many species live, feed and reproduce in a salt marsh and in a solar saltworks area. It provides biological diversity, including bacteria, macro and microalgae, Artemia, plants, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates and contribute to flood prevention and improved water management.

Haererehalobacter sp. JS1, a bioemulsifier producing halophilic bacterium isolated from Indian solar salt works.

Bioemulsifier (BE)-producing Haererehalobacter sp. JS1 was isolated and identified from the solar salt works in India. The BE was extracted, purified, and characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Emulsification activity was performed against different oils and dye degradation potential against different dyes. The production of BE was optimized using different carbon sources (C), nitrogen sources (N), pH, and NaCl. BE screening methods revealed that, Haererehalobacter sp. JS1 was highly positive BE production. Identification by 16S rRNA sequencing and analyses was found that, the Haererehalobacter sp. JS1 was closely related to Salinicoccus halophilus and Haererehalobacter sp. The structural characterization analysis confirmed that the partially purified bioemulsifier belongs to siloxane-type. Emulsification activity (E24) revealed that the bioemulsifier significantly (p < = 0.001) emulsified the commercial oils including coconut oil, gingelly oil, olive oil, and palmolein oils. Haererehalobacter sp. JS1 also significantly (p < = 0.001) degraded the dyes such as orange MR, direct violet, cotton red, reactive yellow, nitro green, and azo dye. RSM regression co-efficient and contour plot analysis clearly indicated that the combination of pH and NaCl helped to increase BE production. Siloxane-type of BE obtained from Haererehalobacter sp. JS1 was able to emulsify different oils and commercial dyes.

Brine characterization and Artemia population dynamics in Bohai Bay solar saltworks, China

Abstract A field study was conducted in Hangu saltworks, a typical Bohai Bay solar salt production site, where a population of Artemia has established. The samples of the brine and of the Artemia population were collected once a month in the period of May to November 2016. According to the salinity range in which Artemia occurs in nature, seven saltponds were chosen in the range of 60 g/l to 240 g/l, covering grades of 30 g salts/l. The physicochemical characteristics of the brine as well as the population dynamics of the Artemia were analysed. The pH value was 7.35-8.94 and decreased slightly with increasing brine temperature. The ionic composition of the brine changed along with progressive evaporation and successive, fractional crystallization. The content of Na+, Cl− and Mg2+ were 66.71-225.43 mg/l, 43.99-197.71 mg/l, and 2.64-14.88 mg/l, respectively, and increased with salinity going up. The content of Ca2+ ranged from 0.69 mg/l to 1.69 mg/l with the maximum value observed at the salinity of 120 g/l. The content of SO42− ranged from 3.84 mg/l to 20.16 mg/l and two peak values were observed at salinities of 90 g/l and 180 g/l, respectively. The contents of DOC (dissolved organic carbon), TN (total nitrogen), and TP (total phosphorus) were 11.45-97.45 mg/l, 1.61-10.54 mg/l, and 0.07-0.63 mg/l, respectively, and these increased with increasing salinity. The density of the Artemia population, its composition and mode of reproduction were found to be remarkably influenced by brine temperature and salinity. The Artemia populations were mainly concentrated in the salinity range from 90 g/l to 150 g/l, and in the summer time. Both parthenogenetic and bisexual Artemia coexisted in the saltponds, with the local parthenogenetic population dominating in summer and in the lower salinity range. Female Artemia tended to produce cysts in autumn and in the higher salinity range. Our study provides general information on the physiochemical characterization and the Artemia population dynamics in Hangu saltworks, which is of importance for a better understanding of the ecological situation of Bohai Bay saltworks, and provides basic information for a biological management of the saltponds.

Brine utilisation for cooling and salt production in wind-driven seawater greenhouses: Design and modelling

Brine disposal is a major challenge facing the desalination industry. Discharged brines pollute the oceans and aquifers. Here is it proposed to reduce the volume of brines by means of evaporative coolers in seawater greenhouses, thus enabling the cultivation of high-value crops and production of sea salt. Unlike in typical greenhouses, only natural wind is used for ventilation, without electric fans. We present a model to predict the water evaporation, salt production, internal temperature and humidity according to ambient conditions. Predictions are presented for three case studies: (a) the Horn of Africa (Berbera) where a seawater desalination plant will be coupled to salt production; (b) Iran (Ahwaz) for management of hypersaline water from the Gotvand dam; (c) Gujarat (Ahmedabad) where natural seawater is fed to the cooling process, enhancing salt production in solar salt works. Water evaporation per face area of evaporator pad is predicted in the range 33 to 83m3/m2·yr, and salt production up to 5.8tonnes/m2·yr. Temperature is lowest close to the evaporator pad, increasing downwind, such that the cooling effect mostly dissipates within 15m of the cooling pad. Depending on location, peak temperatures reduce by 8–16°C at the hottest time of year.

ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO ENTRE SALINAS SOLARES TRADICIONALES Y OTRAS ACTIVIDADES ECONÓMICAS EN UN ESTUARIO PROTEGIDO PORTUGUÉS

This study shows that Traditional Solar Saltworks can be competitive with other land uses in the Nature Reserve of Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antonio Saltmarshes (“Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António”, in Portuguese), sited in the estuary of the Guadiana River (SW Iberian Peninsula, Europe); particularly, if they are specialized in extraction of Fleur de Sel (or Flower of Salt), a gourmet variety of sea salt. Artisanal sea salt production based on solar evaporationmethods of millennial history in the area is an environmentally sustainable activity in harmony withsaltmarsh landscape. Two crystallizers of a 1 ha Traditional Solar Saltworks were monitored during 70 days from June to August 2015 with the purpose of gathering detailed production data. Monitoring comprised weighing of daily Fleur de Sel harvest while coarse salt survey in one crystallizer, implied packing and weighing after two months. The competitiveness of this new commercialized variety ofsea salt was assessed with respect to other ongoing economic activities in the area, such as aquaculture,industrial salt production, and tourism. Comparison focused on the relationship between the occupied surface and production´s revenue. Water consumption was used as an economic and environmental sustainability indicator. Data were obtained through in-situ monitoring, literature review and from official statistics and spatial data sources. The results indicate that Fleur de Sel extraction in Traditional Solar Saltworks can be a high profile land use form in the area of Nature Reserve, which on a long-term basisis a sustainable activity from a socio-economic and environmental point of view.

Macrobenthic molluscs from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition in Lesvos Island (Greece)

BackgroundThis paper describes an occurence dataset, also including numerical abundance and biomass data, pertaining to the macrobenthic molluscan assemblages from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition. The study system was the soft-substrate benthoscape of the area of the Kalloni solar saltworks (Lesvos Island, Greece). Specifically, the study area extended from the infralittoral zone of the inner Kalloni Gulf (marine habitat) to the bottoms of the first two evaporation ponds of the Kalloni solar saltworks (lagoonal habitat). Bottom sediment samples (3 replicates) were collected with a Van Veen grab sampler (0.1 m2) at four sampling sites, along a 1.5 km long line transect that spanned the marine - lagoonal environmental transition. A total of four surveys were carried out seasonally in 2004. A total of 39,345 molluscan individuals were sorted out of the sediment samples and were identified to 71 species, belonging to the Gastropoda (36), Bivalvia (34) and Scaphopoda (1) classes. Numerical abundance and wet biomass (with shells) data are included in the dataset.New informationThe dataset described in the present paper partially fills a significant gap in the scientific literature: Because ecological research of coastal lagoons has seldom explicitly considered the marine - lagoonal habitats interface, there are no openly accessible datasets pertaining to the particular structural component of the transitional waters benthoscapes of the Mediterranean Sea. Such datasets could prove valuable in the research of the structure and functioning of transitional waters benthoscapes. The present dataset is available as a supplementary file (Suppl. material 1) and can also be accessed at http://ipt.medobis.eu/resource?r=kalloni_saltworks_phd.

Antagonistic Bacillus cereus TC-1 Isolated from Solar Salt Work in Southern India

Bacillus cereus TC-1 was isolated from condenser pond of manmade solar salt pan Thamaraikulam, Tamilnadu, India effectively suppressed the shrimp bacterial pathogens Vibrio harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, V. anguillarum, V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus by in vitro antagonistic assay of 9 to 15 mm of zone of inhibition. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that, B. cereus TC-1 was highly similar that the B. thuringiensis strain (100%) and other Bacillus sp. Their optimum growth between at the range of 4 to 6% of NaCl in the growth media and significantly (P&lt;0.05) high alkaline protease production (170.85 U/ml) was observed in the NaCl of 6 %. Based on the antagonistic activity of the B. cereus TC-1 against the shrimp pathogens and its antimicrobial factors, it may be used as probiotics and developing novel antimicrobial bioactive substances against aquatic pathogens.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 29, Number 1, June 2012, pp 27-31

Bacterial Diversity in Bohai Bay Solar Saltworks, China.

The microbiota in solar salterns plays an important role in salt production quantitatively and qualitatively. Bohai Bay coast is the major sea salt producing area in China. However, few ecological characterization studies of the Bohai Bay salt ponds, particularly of their microbial diversity, have been conducted. This study investigated the structure and diversity of the bacterial community in Hangu saltworks in response to environmental factors. The brine water was sampled from five selected saltponds within a salinity range of 5.0-19.3% in May, July, and October, 2012. Phylogenetic analysis based on the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) patterns of the PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragment showed that, rather than pond salinity, especially the month of sampling influenced the structure of the bacterial community in the saltponds, which may be related to the water temperature or other factors fluctuating over the months. Moreover, canonical correspondence analysis of biological and physico-chemical parameters indicated that especially other environmental factors such as nitrogenous and phosphorous nutrient contents and pH structured the microbial community. The relatively high range-weighted richness index and Shannon-Wiener index (H') observed in this study reflect the high level of richness and biodiversity present, though there were substantial fluctuations over the months and salinities of sampling. The fragment of 16S rRNA gene sequence recovered from DGGE bands indicated that the bacterial assemblage in Hangu Saltworks was dominated by members of γ-Proteobacteria (34% of total sequences obtained), followed by Firmicutes (14%) and Bacteroidetes (9%).

Haloalkaliphilic Streptomyces spp. AJ8 isolated from solar salt works and its' pharmacological potential.

Antagonistic Streptomyces spp. AJ8 was isolated and identified from the Kovalam solar salt works in India. The antimicrobial NRPS cluster gene was characterized by PCR, sequencing and predict the secondary structure analysis. The secondary metabolites will be extracted from different organic solvent extraction and studied the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer activities. In vitro antagonistic activity results revealed that, Streptomyces spp. AJ8 was highly antagonistic against Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila WPD1 and Candida albicans. The genomic level identification revealed that, the strain was confirmed as Streptomyces spp. AJ8 and submitted the NCBI database (KC603899). The NRPS gene was generated a single gene fragment of 781 bp length (KR491940) and the database analysis revealed that, the closely related to Streptomyces spp. SAUK6068 and S. coeruleoprunus NBRC15400. The secondary metabolites extracted with ethyl acetate was effectively inhibited the bacterial and fungal growth at the ranged between 7 and 19.2 mm of zone of inhibition. The antiviral activity results revealed that, the metabolite was significantly (P < 0.001) controlled the killer shrimp virus white spot syndrome virus at the level of 85 %. The metabolite also suppressed the L929 fibroblast cancer cells at 35.7 % viability in 1000 µg treatment.

LOCALIZAÇÃO GEOGRÁFICA E PRODUÇÃO DE SAL

Along the Brazilian shoreline, on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte State Brazil) are located the largest solar saltworks of the country. The present research aims to evaluate the sustainability of the consumption of estuarine water and the area required for salt production in Brazilian solar saltworks situated along the estuary of the River Apodi-Mossoro (Rio Grande do Norte State). The analysis of the total area of production values, water volume estuary used and annual salt production was carried out, relating to the area required for this production in a solar saltwork located upstream (lower estuary) and another downstream (high estuary) in this estuary. That due to high salinity values of estuarine water upstream, the downstream saltworks require a production area three times larger than those located upstream, which obtain a production only twice superior. It was verified that the saltworks located downstream utilize the largest area and require more water volume for salt production.

Spatial modeling of limnological parameters in a solar saltwork of northeastern Brazil

AimIn this research, we aimed to model limnological parameters in the Salina Unidos (Macau-Brazil) using GIS technology. We hypothesized that in solar saltworks, the geochemical characteristics of the brines (i.e. the strong solution of salts) vary considerably through the salt ponds circuit, in which drastic changes can damage the entire salt production.MethodsGeochemical parameters were monitored in seven sampling points distributed along the salt ponds circuit, during a complete cycle of salt production, i.e., from January to December 2007. The open source software Spring 5.1.6 was used to build, store, analyze and model the spatial distribution of the parameters.ResultsWe identified a spatial gradient of the salinity and temperature, with values increasing from evaporation ponds to concentration ponds, showing a relationship with the salt production. The parameters, depth, dissolved oxygen concentrations and total dissolved reactive phosphorus showed a decrease from the evaporation ponds towards the concentration ponds. Among the dissolved inorganic nitrogen forms analyzed (NH3-, NO2- and NO3-), nitrate was the predominant, namely in the concentration ponds, where it reached the highest concentrations. The concentration of chlorophyll awas higher in the initial and intermediate evaporation ponds, showing a distinct dynamics of in relation to other environmental variables.ConclusionsThe increased concentration of the analyzed limnological parameters, from the evaporation ponds towards the concentration ponds, evidenced a heterogeneous distribution varying significantly with season. The geochemical spatialization of brine, as illustrated by GIS approach, is very important for the conservation of these environments because this spatial heterogeneity can provide a high diversity of habitat types. This spatial analysis proved to be a practical tool for an adequate management of solar saltworks considering the environmental (ecosystem) and the socio-economic aspects.

Contribution of soil properties to the assessment of a seawater irrigation programme as a management strategy for abandoned solar saltworks

The installation of desalination plants close to ecosystems of interest may have environmental impacts that make corrective measures necessary. Especially, wetlands (which are water-dependent ecosystems) are prone to degradation. This is the case for the Agua Amarga salt marsh (SE Spain), that includes an abandoned solar saltworks and surrounding, topographically higher zones, in which the groundwater withdrawal to supply two desalination plants has led to a drop of the piezometric levels and the desiccation of the ecosystem. To overcome these problems, a programme to irrigate the marsh with seawater was established. This paper reports some soil characteristics of the marsh in relation to the different types of vegetation/environment identified and the seawater irrigation programme, with the objective being to propose some guidelines to improve the management of the site. Surface and subsurface samples were taken from 63 plots and the depth of the water level and the soil redox potential (Eh), moisture, electrical conductivity (EC), CaCO3, organic carbon, nitrogen and bulk density were determined. Also, the soil texture, structure, consistence, accumulation of salt crystals and redoximorphic features – indicative of reduction-oxidation processes – were described. The poor structure (weak, granular, subangular and angular blocks, very fine and fine) showed that the soils were hardly developed. The periphery (mainly colonised by Suaeda vera, Lygeum spartum and Limonium spp.) was less saline (EC 1:5 in the upper layers ~0.4 to ~4dSm−1) and drier (water level>−1.5m depth) than the abandoned saline ponds (EC 1:5 in the upper layers ~2 to ~9dSm−1 and water level between −1m depth and +0.2m above the soil surface), mainly colonised by Sarcocornia fruticosa, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Salicornia patula, Phragmites australis and Ruppia maritima in the flooded ponds. The soils of the periphery were always oxic (Eh>+500mV), but most of the abandoned saline ponds had suboxic (~+100mV<Eh<~+350mV) and even anoxic conditions (Eh<~+100mV), as shown by the existence of gley colours and redoximorphic features. The soil bulk density of the surface and subsurface layers showed that the most impermeable ponds were located in the centre of the marsh, where it is possible to maintain a surface water sheet during prolonged periods, suitable for the development of submerged plant species such as R. maritima and for waterbirds. Part of the seawater poured into more permeable ponds, such as those located in the southern and northern zones of the marsh, is lost by infiltration due to the lower bulk density of these soils. The latter facilitates the recovery of the piezometric levels and the growth of terrestrial plant species. Monitoring of redoximorphic features in the upper soil layers, in combination with symptoms of damage in the plants, could be used as a visual indicator of oxygen limitation due to excessive soil moisture. This would permit the regulation of the irrigation programme, hence optimising the energy and economic resources applied to maintain the ecosystem.

Irrigation with seawater as a strategy for the environmental management of abandoned solar saltworks: A case-study in SE Spain based on soil–vegetation relationships

Groundwater withdrawal by desalination plants might lead to a drop of the piezometric levels of aquifers, causing negative impacts, especially in water-dependent ecosystems. Management strategies are necessary to overcome these potential problems, particularly in abandoned solar saltworks—wetlands which are particularly prone to degradation by desiccation. This paper reports the soil–vegetation relationships in one of these wetlands (Agua Amarga salt marsh, SE Spain), in which a pioneer programme of irrigation with seawater is applied to correct the environmental impacts of two desalination plants. Depth of water level and soil Eh, bulk density, moisture and salinity were determined in December 2011 and June and October 2012, in 63 plots from 12 different environments/types of vegetation. Multivariate analyses were used to identify gradients, and a model of soil–vegetation relationships was elaborated to contribute to the management of the marsh. Two different situations were identified: the periphery (drier and less saline soils) and the abandoned saline ponds (wetter and more saline soils). The three environments/types of vegetation of the periphery (Suaeda vera, Lygeum spartum and Limonium spp. stands) were separated according to the seasonal behaviour of soil salinity and moisture, regardless of the irrigation programme. Hence, modifications in the vegetation distribution should be mainly attributable to environmental factors, including possible consequences of climate change. The nine environments/types of vegetation of the abandoned saline ponds (Sarcocornia fruticosa, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum growing in patches with and without the presence of seedlings, bare soils among A. macrostachyum patches, mixed stands with S. fruticosa and A. macrostachyum, Salicornia patula, flooded ponds with Ruppia maritima, Phragmites australis and a burned zone) were separated mainly according to soil moisture, water level in the soil profile, Eh and salinity. In this zone, vegetation can be used as a bioindicator to detect the consequences of the irrigation programme, which should be carefully managed if biodiversity and habitat variety have to be preserved. Our results indicate that the amount of seawater pumped is a critical issue and must be planned taking into account not only the vegetation but also the current soil properties such as bulk density (that influences water infiltration and retention) and salinity (mainly determined by the salts that remain in the soils due to the former use of the ponds as solar saltworks).

Characterization of halophilic C50 carotenoid-producing archaea isolated from solar saltworks in Bohai Bay, China

Halophilic archaea comprise the majority of microorganisms found in hypersaline environments. C50 carotenoids accumulated in archaea cells are considered potential biotechnological products and possess a number of biological functions. Ten red colonies were isolated from brine water in a saltern crystallizer pond of the Hangu Saltworks, China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the colonies belonged to the extremely halophilic archaea genera Halobacterium and Halorubrum. Two representative strains, Halobacterium strain SP-2 and Halorubrum strain SP-4, were selected for further study on the phenotypic characteristics and effects of salinity and pH on accumulation and composition of pigments in their cells. The archaeal strains were isolated and grown in a culture medium prepared by dissolving yeast extract (10 g/L) and acid-hydrolyzed casein (7.5 g/L) into brine water obtained from a local salt pond. Their optimum salinity and pH for growth were 250 and 7, respectively, although pigment accumulation (OD490 / mL broth) was highest at pH 8. In addition, at 150–300 salinity, increasing salinity resulted in decreasing pigment accumulation. Analysis of the UV-Vis spectrum, TLC and HLPC chromatograms showed that C50 carotenoid bacterioruberin is the major pigment in both strains.

Dunaliella salina(Chlorophyceae) Affects the Quality of NaCl Crystals

Abstract The green alga Dunaliella salina is a common inhabitant of crystallizers in solar saltworks. Although its presence has been associated with low salt quality, little is known about the mechanism through which Dunaliella causes such effect. It has been suggested that the release of organic matter from healthy D. salina cells interferes with NaCl crystallization. With the intention to cast some light on this matter, we grew D. salina cells at different [NaCl] (0.3, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 M), in the presence of either NO3- or NH4+, in conditions that, although strongly hyperaline, were mild enough to minimize cell lysis and substantial spill over of cytosolic sap. The two N treatments were done because the N-source was shown to influence organic release from D. salina. We then attempted to link this physiological information to the information to the quality of NaCl crystals. In order to reduce the impact of inter-crystal inclusion and focus on the structure of the crystalline reticulum, the volume of wate...

Antagonistic Bacillus cereus TC-1 Isolated from Solar Salt Work in Southern India

Bacillus cereus TC-1 was isolated from condenser pond of manmade solar salt pan in Thamaraikulam, Tamilnadu, India effectively suppressed the shrimp bacterial pathogens of Vibrio harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, V. anguillarum, V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus by In vitro antagonistic assay at 9 to 15 mm of zone of inhibition. Phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary distance revealed that, B. cereus TC-1 was highly similar to that the Bacillus sp. and other B. cereus strains. Their optimum growth rate was ranged between of 4 to 6% of NaCl in the growth media. The alkaline protease production was significantly (P< 0.001) differed among the different NaCl enriched growth media. Based on the antagonistic activity of the B. cereus TC-1 against the shrimp pathogens and its antimicrobial factors, it may be used as probiotics and developing novel antimicrobial bioactive substances against aquatic pathogens.

Isolation and characterization of halophilic Bacillus sp. BS3 able to produce pharmacologically important biosurfactants

ObjectiveTo characterize the pharmacological importance of biosurfactants isolated from halophilic Bacillus sp BS3. MethodsHalophilic Bacillus sp. BS3 was isolated from solar salt works, identified by 16S rRNA sequencing and was used for screening their biosurfactant production. Characters of the biosurfactant and their anticancer activity were analyzed and performed in mammary epithelial carcinoma cell at different concentrations. ResultsThe biosurfactant were characterized by TLC, FTIR and GC–MS analysis and identified as lipopeptide type. GC–MS analysis revealed that, the biosurfactant had various compounds including 13–Docosenamide, (Z); Mannosamine, 9– and N,N,N',N'–tetramethyl. Surprisingly the antiviral activity was found against shrimp white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) by suppressing the viral replication and significantly raised shrimp survival (P<0.01). Anticancer activity performed in the mammary epithelial carcinoma cell at different concentrations of biosurfactants, among the various concentrations of biosurfactants such as 0.000 25, 0.002 5, 0.025, 0.25 and 2.5μg, the 0.25 μg concentration suppressed the cells significantly (P<0.05) to 24.8%. ConclusionsBased on the findings, the present study concluded that, there is a possibility to develop eco–friendly antimicrobial and anticancer drugs from the extremophilic origin.

Microbial and physical sedimentary structures in modern evaporitic coastal environments of Saudi Arabia and Egypt

Field and petrographic studies of recent supratidal sabkhas and ponds, and a solar salt works, in Saudi Arabia and Egypt have documented the formation of distinctive surface sedimentary structures that have resulted from microbial activity and abiological physical processes. Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) dominate the permanent and ephemeral parts of supratidal ponds of Al Zeeb sabkha, Saudi Arabia and halite crystallization ponds in salt works, west of Alexandria, Egypt. They are varied and include gas bubbles, blisters, wrinkles, pinnacles, cones, and polygonal folds (petees) induced by epibenthic microbial mats. Physically induced sedimentary structures dominate the emergent areas surrounding the ponds, as well as the supratidal sabkhas in Al Zeeb and Ras Shukeir areas. They include polygonal cracks and different types of tepees. The sediments of the microbial-induced structures are composed of green and brown microbial filaments that entrap and bind lenticular and clastic gypsum, or form nucleation sites for halite and/or grass-like gypsum crystals. The sediments of the physically induced structures are composed of halite-cemented siliciclastic sand and mud, or bottom-nucleated chevron and cornet halite crystals. The results of this study indicate that microbial and physical structures co-exist due to local factors, especially topography, brine recharge, salinity, microbial activity, and history of the supratidal sabkha and pond. The importance of the local interplay of these conditions indicates that it will be difficult to interpret sedimentary successions in fossil sabkhas and their general depositional environment if only limited sections are available for study.