Salt-Loving Bacteria: A Hidden Treasure in Slovakia's Brine

In the heart of Slovakia, a former salt mine holds a secret. The brine from Solivar near Prešov is home to a unique group of bacteria. These tiny organisms love salt. They thrive in high-salinity environments. Scientists wanted to know more. They collected samples in 2020 and 2021. They grew these bacteria in labs. They found 53 halophilic (salt-loving) and one halotolerant (salt-tolerant) bacteria. These bacteria are special. They can make something called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). PHA is a type of plastic. It's biodegradable. It's eco-friendly. The scientists tested all the bacteria. They used different methods. They found that 80% of these bacteria can make PHA. That's a lot! The main type of PHA they found was poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). One bacterium, Halovibrio sp. HP20-59, made up to 2. 76 grams per liter. That's a good amount. The scientists also found that these bacteria are diverse. They belong to different groups. Some are even new to science. This is big news. It shows that brine from Solivar is a goldmine. It's full of bacteria that can make useful things. These bacteria could help in many ways. They could be used in biotechnology. They could help make eco-friendly plastics. This is just the beginning. There's still much to learn.