Mk. Chattopadhyay, Cold-adaptation of Antarctic microorganisms - possible involvement of viable but nonculturable state, POLAR BIOL, 23(3), 2000, pp. 223-224
Occurrence of the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) form of microorganisms in
nature is well known. Evidence available in the literature indicates that
low temperature may induce microorganisms to form VBNC cells. The VBNC stat
e of some bacteria, collected from Antarctic lakes, has been recently repor
ted. Hence it is postulated that formation of VBNC cells may be one of the
strategies adopted by Antarctic microorganisms to survive in the extreme co
ld climate.