title: Molecular community analysis of magnesium-rich bittern brine recovered from a Tunisian solar saltern.
abstract: The microbial community of a magnesium-rich bittern brine saturated with NaCl (380-400 g/L) from a Tunisian solar saltern was investigated using a molecular approach based on 16S rRNA gene analysis and viability tests. The results revealed the existence of microbial flora. Viability test assessment showed that 46.4% of this flora was viable but not detectable by culturability tests. 16S rRNA genes from 49 bacterial clones and 38 archaeal clones were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Eleven operational taxonomic units (OTUs) determined by the DOTUR program with 97% sequence similarity were generated for Bacteria. These OTUs were affiliated with Bacteroidetes and Gammaproteobacteria. The archaeal community composition exhibited more diversity with 38 clones, resulting in 13 OTUs affiliated with the Euryarchaeota phylum. Diversity measurement showed a more diverse archaeal than bacterial community at the saturated pond.
authors: a Université de Sfax, École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax - LARSEN, UR Étude et Gestion des Environnements Côtier et Urbain, B.P. 1173 - 3038 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors: Houda
authors: H
authors: Baati
authors: Raja
authors: R
authors: Jarboui
authors: Néji
authors: N
authors: Gharsallah
authors: Abdelghani
authors: A
authors: Sghir
authors: Emna
authors: E
authors: Ammar
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D041963:Bacteroidetes / Q000235:genetics; D044822:Biodiversity; D019605:Euryarchaeota / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000032:analysis; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D008274:Magnesium