Isolation and characterization of bacteria capable of tolerating the extreme conditions of clean room environments.

ABSTRACT: In assessing the bacterial populations present in spacecraft assembly, spacecraft test, and launch preparation facilities, extremophilic bacteria (requiring severe conditions for growth) and extremotolerant bacteria (tolerant to extreme conditions) were isolated. Several cultivation approaches were employed to select for and identify bacteria that not only survive the nutrient-limiting conditions of clean room environments but can also withstand even more inhospitable environmental stresses. Due to their proximity to spacefaring objects, these bacteria pose a considerable risk for forward contamination of extraterrestrial sites. Samples collected from four geographically distinct National Aeronautics and Space Administration clean rooms were challenged with UV-C irradiation, 5% hydrogen pe

SUBMITTER: La Duc MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1855582 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature