FROM SPACE TO EARTH: BACILLUS ARYABHATTAI FOUND IN THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT

An isolate from the rhizosphere region of Lemna sp. from the East Kolkata wetlands was cultured on Nutrient Agar media and characterized by carrying out several common tests, e.g. heat tolerance, cold tolerance, UV tolerance, urease, oxidase, gelatinase etc .This was followed by phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences, to establish the bacterial isolate as Bacillus aryabhattai . Further initiative to check for its antibiotic production and chromium uptake ability, was also undertaken. The isolate gave positive results for the Gram Stain, Oxidase, Urease, Gelatinase, Nitrate Reduction, Voges-Proskauer, Starch Hydrolysis assays and negative results for the Indole Production Assay. It showed cold tolerance to as low as 4 C but was intolerant to temperatures higher than 37 C. The isolate showed reduced but viable growth even under UV exposure for 30 minutes. However its Chromium uptake ability was low and gave negative results for the antibiotic production assay. Perhaps this is the first proof of this particular extra-terrestrial microorganism to be found in the Indian Sub-continent, evidence in support of the Theory of Panspermia.