Microbiological analysis of several cold-preserved tissue samples from the Siberian baby mammoth known
as Lyuba revealed a number of culturable bacterial strains that were grown on anaerobic media at 3 oC. Lactic acid
produced by LAB (lactic acid bacteria) group, usually by members of the genera Carnobacterium and Lactosphera,
appears to be a wonderful preservative that keeps other bacteria from colonizing a system. Permafrost and lactic acid
preserved the body of this one month-old baby mammoth and kept it in exceptionally good condition, resulting in
this mammoth being the most complete sample of the species ever recovered.
The diversity of novel psychrophilic anaerobic isolates was expressed on morphological, physiological and
phylogenetic levels. Here, we discuss the specifics of the isolation of new psychrophilic strains, differentiation from
trivial contamination, and preliminary results for characterization of the cultures.
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