Detection of indigenous Halobacillus populations in damaged ancient wall paintings and building materials: Molecular monitoring and cultivation

Several moderately halophilic gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria have be en isolated by conventional enrichment cultures from damaged medieval wall paintings and building materials. Enrichment and isolation were monitored b y denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and fluorescent in situ hybridiza tion. 16S ribosomal DNA analysis showed that the bacteria are most closely related to Halobacillus litoralis. DNA-DNA reassociation experiments identi fied the isolates as a population of hitherto unknown Halobacillus species.