Multidisciplinary involvement and potential of thermophiles

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Enzymology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Thermostable enzymes are crucial for efficient industrial biotransformations.
• Extremophilic microorganisms (thermophiles, hyperthermophiles, psychrophiles) are rich sources of these enzymes.
• Enzyme stability is shaped by environmental parameters, particularly temperature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review sources of thermophiles and thermostable enzymes from prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
• To examine strategies for improving biocatalyst production and performance.
• To highlight the potential of thermostable enzymes in diverse industrial applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of microbial sources of thermostable enzymes.
• Analysis of strategies for enhancing enzyme properties (specificity, resistance, cost-effectiveness).
• Examination of industrial applications across all six enzyme classes.

Main Results:

• Identification of diverse microbial sources for thermostable enzymes.
• Discussion of methods to improve enzyme production and performance standards.
• Demonstration of applicability in both fine chemical synthesis and bulk product generation (e.g., fuels).

Conclusions:

• Thermostable enzymes from extremophiles possess vast biotechnological value.
• Optimization of these enzymes can lead to cost-effective industrial processes.
• Enzymes can be tailored for both high-value, low-volume and low-value, high-volume applications.