Application of autoradiography and a radiotracer method for the isolation of iodine-accumulating bacteria

Summary  An efficient method for the isolation of iodine-accumulating bacteria was established. A total number of 138 bacterial strains were grown on agar media containing 125I, and the strains having strong radioactivity were chosen by autoradiography. They were then grown in liquid media containing 125I, and the radioactivity of the cells and the supernatants was determined after centrifugation through silicone oil. Eight strains were found to remove 78 to 90% of iodine from the media within 24 hours, and corresponding amount of iodine was detected in their cells. The advantage of this method is in its simplicity and the low detection limit.