Adaptive response of Haloferax mediterranei to low concentrations of NaCl (< 20%) in the growth medium.

Halobacteria require 20-25% NaCl for optimal growth and lyse when the salt concentration falls below 10%. The response of Haloferax mediterranei cells to low concentrations of NaCl (< 20%) in the medium was studied. The cells adapted to and grew in concentrations of NaCl as low as 10% and survived in concentrations lower than 5%. The cells synthesised a red pigment, bacterioruberin, in response to stress caused by a low concentration of NaCl (< 20%).