Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a marine bacterium known for causing gastroenteritis.
It is halophilic (salt-loving) and requires sodium chloride (\(NaCl\)) for its metabolic activity and structural integrity.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Because Vibrio parahaemolyticus is halophilic, it has an absolute requirement for salt and cannot grow in the complete absence of salt (\(0.0\%\) \(NaCl\)).
It grows optimally in media containing \(1.0\%\) to \(3.0\%\) \(NaCl\) and can tolerate higher salt concentrations up to \(7.0\%\) or even \(8.0\%\) \(NaCl\).
Of the given options, \(7.0\%\) represents the high salt concentration in which this halophile can still actively grow, whereas it fails to grow at \(0.0\%\) \(NaCl\).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Vibrio parahaemolyticus is capable of growing in saline environments containing up to \(7.0\%\) \(NaCl\).