Isolation and salt tolerance of halophilic fungi from mangroves and solar salterns in Goa - India

Abstract

High salt tolerant fungal genera were isolated from mangroves and solar salterns of Goa. These belonged mainly to the genus <i style="">Aspergillus;</i> some <i>Penicillium </i>and a few<i> Eurotium</i> and <i>Hortaea</i>. Most of the isolates were facultative halophiles, euryhaline in nature, not having an absolute requirement of added salt for growth. They able to grow even at high salt concentrations and showing optimal growth only in presence of added salt in the medium. Only one species, <i style="">A. penicillioides,</i><i style=""> </i>had an absolute requirement of added salt in the medium for growth and were termed as obligate halophiles.