PMID: 11915886Jan 1, 1966Paper

Survival and growth of potential microbial contaminants in severe environments

Life Sciences and Space Research
E J HawrylewiczR Ehrlich

Abstract

Studies conducted in our laboratory have established that a number of potential soil microbes could survive a simulated Martian environment. In view of the uncertainty of the Martian environment and the importance of noncontamination of extraterrestrial bodies, studies were performed with common soil microbes to determine the minimal environment necessary to produce a complete growth cycle. The effects of diurnal temperature cycling (+25 degrees C to -65 degrees C) and of limiting concentrations of moisture and oxygen on spore germination, vegetative growth and sporulation of Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis have been determined. The results indicated that diurnally temperature-cycled heat-shocked spores of B. cereus in the simulated Martian atmosphere: 1) survived when the moisture concentration was < or = 4%; 2) germinated but became nonviable when the moisture concentration was > 4 < 8%; 3) germinated with subsequent vegetative growth when a) the moisture concentration was > or = 8%, and b) the concentration was > or = 6% and the partial pressure of oxygen was 15 mm; 4) sporulated when the moisture concentration was > or = 6% and the partial pressure of oxygen was 15 mm. Similar data for heat-shocked spores of B. subtilis in ...Continue Reading

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