First characterization of cultivable extremophile Chroococcidiopsis isolates from a solar panel.

This study presents the first identification and characterization of cultivable extremophile cyanobacteria from a solar panel in Valencia, Spain. The isolates are members of the genera , , , and all genera with species commonly isolated from deserts and arid regions. Four of the isolates were selected, all of them , and characterized. Our results showed that all isolates chosen were resistant up to a year of desiccation, viable after exposition to high doses of UV-C, and capable of being transformed. Our findings revealed that a solar panel is a useful ecological niche in searching for extremophilic cyanobacteria to further study the desiccation and UV-tolerance mechanisms. We conclude that these cyanobacteria can be modified and exploited as candidates for biotechnological purposes, including astrobiology applications.