INVESTIGATING THE MICROBIOTA OF SOLAR SALTERN OF MULUND, MUMBAI, INDIA

Abstract

Solar salterns, located in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide, are artificial shallow ponds for the production of
halite (NaCl) from seawater. They are often built as multipond systems. Multi-pond solar salterns have been widespread
environments for studies on halophilic microorganisms. In the present study Archaeal and bacterial diversity of the
salterns located at Mulund (19°10’12’’N, 72°57’18’’E), Mumbai was investigated. Three Halophiles were isolated from
the brine samples collected. All isolated archaea were shown intensely orange pigmentation. These salt tolerant
organisms were characterized using morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of these
sequences revealed a range of identities to several group of bacteria. The clones fell into major lineages the
Actinobacteria and firmicutes. Presence of industrially important carotenoids producing halophiles were also recorded.