Bacteria For Better Ice Cream And Artificial Snow No Longer Depends On Trek To Poles

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Source: Queen's University
Date: October 1, 2006
The search for a type of bacteria that creates better ice cream and artificial snow has suddenly become a lot easier, thanks to a discovery by Queen's University biologist Virginia Walker.

The finding has implications for improved water purification methods as well.

Until now, scientists had to go to extreme environments, such as Antarctic lakes and glaciers, to find bacteria with properties that allow them to survive at very cold temperatures. Dr. Walker and her colleagues have developed a technique that isolates such bacteria from soil in more temperate environments.

The study is highlighted in the October issue of the journal Environmental Microbiology. Also on the research team are Queen's graduate student Sandra Wilson and undergraduate student Deborah Kelly.

The new technique involves the formation of an "ice finger" to select for bacteria that will gather on the surface of the ice. Incorporating bacteria into slowly grown ice is based on a method used to purify antifreeze proteins, called ice affinity selection.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0930094351.htm

Queen's biologist Virginia Walker has discovered bacteria in soil from temperate climates that until now was found only in Arctic environments. (Photo Credit: Stephen Wild)