Current and future biotechnological applications of Extremophiles.

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ONPS 1018

APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

LITERATURE REVIEW

SEMESTER 2

CURRENT AND FUTURE BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS OF EXTREMOPHILES

MICHAEL NAJDOVSKI

2107931E


Contents

ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………… .3

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………….3

EXTREMOPHILES…………………………………………………………………..4

Anaerobes……………………………………………………………………………..4

Thermophiles………………………………………………………………………….4

Hyperthermophile……………………………………………………………………..4

Psychrophiles………………………………………………………………………….4

Halophiles……………………………………………………………………………..4

Acidophile……………………………………………………………………………..4

Alkaliphiles……………………………………………………………………………5

Xerophiles……………………………………………………………………………..5

Endoliths……………………………………………………………………………….5

CURRENT APPLICATIONS OF EXTREMOPHILES………………………………7

FUTURE APPLICATIONS OF EXTREMOPHILES………………………………...8

CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………..9

REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………….10


Abstract

Extremophiles (lovers of extremes) are microorganisms that live and thrive in the harshest of conditions.  They grow in volcanic vents, hot springs, in high salt concentration, freezing temperatures and all conditions that would normally not support life.  These may be used to our advantage because of their ability to survive in these conditions.  The bacterium Thermus aquaticus lives in hot water conditions whose optimal temperature is about 70°C.  Taq polymerase is an enzyme produced from the bacterium that is now a major component of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).  There are many other uses of these bacterium and many more to be discovered.

Introduction

The majority of extremophiles are bacteria.  These bacteria can tolerate harsh environments that other organisms cannot.  These bacteria and other organisms have mechanisms that allow them to survive in these environments as long as they have an energy source.  There are many types of extremophiles.  Some love heat, some love dry conditions, salty conditions and many more.  To study these organisms and determine their mechanisms of sustaining life in harsh conditions may prove to be very beneficial to us humans, for medicinal, industrial, nutritional and economical reasons.  Take some examples; a bacterium that can grow in high temperatures has certain mechanisms to sustain life and this can be applied to humans with high fevers.  The enzymes produced by the bacteria, they may be introduced into the human so the cells damaged as a result of the high temperatures may heal, and temperature may drop.  There are endless possibilities to the applications of these extremophiles in our everyday life.

There is however obstacles that prevents us from doing detailed studies of these extremophiles.  Because they live in such extreme conditions it is very difficult and sometimes costly to simulate these conditions in the laboratory.  Also if this is managed, these conditions may be unstable and cannot be kept that way for long periods of time.  With further research and more effort this may be achievable (6).

Current applications of these extremophiles are the use of enzymes from thermophiles for PCR, food processors and detergent manufacturers use psychrophile (frozen environments); acidophile and halophile (acid and salt lovers) enzymes are used for industrial purposes and many more.  The future applications of these extremophiles are limitless.  From new drugs to food that can withstand hot, dry conditions without spoiling.

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This paper aims to inform about extremophiles and their current and future applications.


Extremophiles

Anaerobes:

These extremophiles have the capability to grow without the presence of oxygen.  These may be found in the rumen of cattle, in the gut, soil and other places.  Clostridium spp. is an example of such extremophiles.

Thermophiles:

These are organisms may be found in high temperature that may range from 40°C to 70°C.   that are heat stable are essential for the survival of these organisms.  The enzymes in these organisms denature at higher temperatures.  These proteins are more densely packed to exclude ...

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