Survival of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes During Prolonged Periods of Extreme Desiccation

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Abstract
Cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes mixed in sand and air-dried have survived for up to 6 months after an initial period in which approximately half the cells lost their viability. Comparative survival curves have been obtained from inoculated sands maintained under CaSO 4 or P 2 O 5 . Selections for more desiccation-resistant progeny capable of surviving the initial period were unsuccessful. Both the coccoid and rod-shaped forms are equally resistant to several months of desiccation. Desiccated spherical cells converted 0.0005% of their cell carbon to carbon dioxide per hr, which corresponds to a half-life for self-consumption of approximately 12 years.