Bioremediation bacteria with drought-resistance characteristics were s
elected and compared to a collection of 10 strains selected only for t
heir bioremediation properties. Twenty-six strains were selected from
dried diesel-polluted soil, and they exhibit a better level of surviva
l during drying, compared to collection bioremediation strains (two or
ders of magnitude difference). The lyophilization process does not aff
ect the strains' ability to grow on xenobiotic compound when measured
immediately after drying. However, collection bioremediation strains s
elected only for their bioremediation properties lose up to 80% of the
ir properties when stored at 25 degrees C for 15 d, but the strains se
lected 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.