PERSISTENT PROPERTIES OF MICROORGANISMS INHABITING HIGHLY MINERALIZED WATER BODIES

Aim. Study prevalence and intensity of persistent properties in bacteria inhabiting highly mineralized
water bodies and determine their role in interaction with halophilous heterotrophic
protozoa. Materials and methods. 300 bacteria strains and 3 cultures of heterotrophic protozoa
isolated from water bodies with mineralization of 2 - 350 g/l were studied. Antilysozyme (ALA),
antihistone (AHA) activity of bacteria, protozoa lysozyme were evaluated by dish and photometric
methods. Protozoa histones were evaluated cytochemically. Interaction of protozoa and
Escherichia coli was evaluated by experimental co-cultivation. Results. Presence of lysozyme and
histones was shown in halophilous heterotrophic protozoa. Prevalence of ALA and AHA in bacteria was shown to increase as water body mineralization decreases. Intensity of E. coli elimination
from brine was determined to depend on the bacteria ALA level and phagocytic activity of protozoa.
Participation of halotolerant protozoa in formation of heterogeneity of bacterial population
by ALA was shown. Conclusion. In biocenoses of highly mineralized water bodies functioning of
lysozyme-antilysozyme, histone-antihistone systems was shown. Bacteria with high persistent
potential may impair sanitary parameters of highly mineralized water bodies, process of self-purification
of which depends directly on phagocytic activity of protozoa.

persistent properties, highly mineralized water bodies, self-purification, halophilous heterotrophic protozoa