Effect of drying on bioremediation bacteria properties.

Bioremediation bacteria with drought-resistance characteristics were selected and compared to a collection of 10 strains selected only for their bioremediation properties. Twenty-six strains were selected from dried diesel-polluted soil, and they exhibit a better level of survival during drying, compared to collection bioremediation strains (two orders of magnitude difference). The lyophilization process does not affect the strains' ability to grow on xenobiotic compound when measured immediately after drying. However, collection bioremediation strains selected only for their bioremediation properties lose up to 80% of their properties when stored at 25 degrees C for 15 d, but the strains selected for their drought resistance lose their properties to a lesser extent during the same period. The maximal growth rate and the rate of xenobiotic degradation of the still-active cells are not affected by the drying process.