A procedure for the selective enrichment of Halobacteroides halobius and related bacteria from anaerobic hypersaline sediments

In enrichment cultures for halophilic anaerobic chemo-organotrophic bacteria from hypersaline sediments a variety of bacterial types developed. However, when the sediment samples were first heated to 80-100°C for 10-20 min, bacteria resembling Halobacteroides halobius were selectively enriched. Terminal endospores were observed in some of the cultures of this type of bacterium, previously unknown to produce endospores. Halobacteroides-type cells were found not to be restricted to Dead Sea sediments, but were isolated also from seawater evaporation ponds. The finding of endospore formation in Halobacteroides supports its proposed phylogenetic relationship with other endospore-forming anaerobic halophilic bacteria.