Salt-Loving Bacteria: A Hidden Treasure in Slovakia's Brine

In the heart of Slovakia, a former salt mine holds a secret. The brine from Solivar near Prešov is home to a unique group of bacteria. These tiny organisms love salt. They thrive in high-salinity environments.

Scientists wanted to know more. They collected samples in 2020 and 2021. They grew these bacteria in labs. They found 53 halophilic (salt-loving) and one halotolerant (salt-tolerant) bacteria.

A Special Ability

These bacteria are special. They can make something called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). PHA is a type of biodegradable, eco-friendly plastic. The scientists tested all the bacteria. They used different methods. They found that 80% of these bacteria can make PHA. That's a lot!

The main type of PHA they found was poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). One bacterium, Halovibrio sp. HP20-59, made up to 2.76 grams per liter. That's a good amount. The scientists also found that these bacteria are diverse. They belong to different groups. Some are even new to science.

A Goldmine of Potential

This is big news. It shows that brine from Solivar is a goldmine. It's full of bacteria that can make useful things. These bacteria could help in many ways. They could be used in biotechnology. They could help make eco-friendly plastics. This is just the beginning. There's still much to learn.