Psychrophilic Microorganisms from Areas Associated with the Viking Spacecraft
AUTOR(ES)
Foster, Terry L.
RESUMO
Microorganisms capable of growth at 7 C were enumerated and isolated from soil samples from the manufacture and assembly areas of the Viking spacecraft. Populations ranging from 4.2 × 103 to 7.7 × 106/g of soil were isolated from the 15 soil samples examined. Temperature requirements were determined, and those growing at 3 C, but not at 32 C, were designated as obligate psychrophiles in this investigation. Populations of soil bacteria, including aerobic sporeformers, ranging from 1.5 × 102 to 9.8 × 105/g were capable of growth at 3 C, but not at 32 C. Bacterial isolates were identified to major generic groups. No psychrophilic sporeformers were isolated from soil from the manufacture area, but psychrophilic sporeformers ranged from 0 to 6.1 × 103/g from soil from the assembly area.
