A soil fungus tolerant to extreme acidity and high salt concentrations

Authors:
  • WGW. D. Gould
    W. D. Gould
  • JFJ. I. Fujikawa
    J. I. Fujikawa
  • FCF. D. Cook
    F. D. Cook
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Abstract
An extremely acid-tolerant fungus in the genus Scytalidium was isolated from a soil of very low pH. Optimal growth of the fungus occurred between pH 1.0 and 2.0. The fungus tolerated acid concentrations of 2.0 N and salt concentrations up to and including 1.0 M. Growth in the presence of acids was affected primarily by the anion present but in high salt concentrations, no trends were apparent. Other isolates resembling this fungus have been obtained from similar environments, indicating that this species may be common to very acid environments.