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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1975 October; 30(4): 546-550
Copyright © 1975 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Psychrophilic Microorganisms from Areas Associated with the Viking Spacecraft

Department of Biology, Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas 79601

ABSTRACT

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 x 10³ to 7.7 x 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 x 10² to 9.8 x 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 x 10³/g from soil from the assembly area.