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Identification, phylogenetic analysis and characterization of obligate halophilic fungi isolated from a man-made solar saltern in Phetchaburi province, Thailand

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Abstract

A total of 17 species from 43 isolates were obtained through serial dilutions of soil samples isolated from one of the man-made solar salterns located in Ban Laem district of Phetchaburi province, Thailand. Soil analysis of the sample revealed high salinity and moisture content, slight alkalinity and low amounts of nitrogen, total organic carbon and organic matter in the habitat. Morphological analysis was performed on all isolates, and molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis were carried out only on the halophilic fungi isolated. Six halophilic fungi, belonging to four species, were identified among the isolates, including five strains of Aspergillus genus [Aspergillus flavus, A. gracilis, A. penicillioides (2 strains) and A. restrictus]. One species was found to be a yeast, namely, Sterigmatomyces halophilus, which was the most frequent isolate found among the halophilic fungi. All other isolates were halotolerant fungi. Characterization of the halophilic fungal isolates showed that they were best adapted to conditions of 10–15 % NaCl (w/v), slight alkalinity (pH 7.0–7.5) and a temperature range of 30–35 °C.

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Acknowledgment

We thank all of the people who helped us in this study, especially the lab staff of Fungal Diversity Lab KMUTT, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand

    Imran Ali & Sudip Kumar Rakshit

  2. Division of Biotechnology, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 83 Moo 8 Thakam, Bangkhuntien, Bangkok, 10150, Thailand

    Lakkhana Kanhayuwa & Sansanalak Rachdawong

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  1. Imran Ali
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  2. Lakkhana Kanhayuwa
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  3. Sansanalak Rachdawong
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  4. Sudip Kumar Rakshit
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Correspondence to Sudip Kumar Rakshit.

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Ali, I., Kanhayuwa, L., Rachdawong, S. et al. Identification, phylogenetic analysis and characterization of obligate halophilic fungi isolated from a man-made solar saltern in Phetchaburi province, Thailand. Ann Microbiol 63, 887–895 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-012-0540-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-012-0540-6

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