4 Alkaliphiles in Biotechnology
Alkaliphiles are one of the most applied extremophile classes which is used in a
growing number of applications. The prominent existing applications of these
organisms are related to their alkaline active enzymes which are used in detergent
formulation, textile and leather processes, and pulp and paper production.
Alkaliphiles are also known in producing a variety of biochemicals which are
important for various applications. Among others, alkaliphiles can be promising
potential sources for novel carotenoids, bioactive substances, siderophores,
biosurfactants, etc. Moreover, the use of alkaliphiles in production of organic acids
and biofuels seems to have, at least in some respects, a better edge than the
conventional organisms. Some of the most important cell-free and whole-cell associated applications of these remarkable extremophiles are discussed below.
4.1 Alkaline Active Enzymes
Enzymes which are operationally stable at high pH have got several applications.
Although some alkaline active enzymes have been reported from non-alkaliphiles,
alkaliphiles are the major and reliable sources of these enzymes, and, hence,
wherever there is application of alkaline active enzymes, alkaliphiles are the primary
choices. Among enzymes of alkaliphiles, the enzymes which are secreted out to the
environment are truly evolved to work optimally in alkaline condition, and, hence,
the interest on alkaline active enzymes hovers around these extracellular biocatalysts
of alkaliphiles. Some of the most common applications of these extracellular
enzymes of alkaliphiles are discussed below.
Fig. 2 Some of the high pH adaptations that alkaliphiles deploy to thrive in their extreme habitat
10
G. Mamo and B. Mattiasson
Alkaliphiles are one of the most applied extremophile classes which is used in a
growing number of applications. The prominent existing applications of these
organisms are related to their alkaline active enzymes which are used in detergent
formulation, textile and leather processes, and pulp and paper production.
Alkaliphiles are also known in producing a variety of biochemicals which are
important for various applications. Among others, alkaliphiles can be promising
potential sources for novel carotenoids, bioactive substances, siderophores,
biosurfactants, etc. Moreover, the use of alkaliphiles in production of organic acids
and biofuels seems to have, at least in some respects, a better edge than the
conventional organisms. Some of the most important cell-free and whole-cell associated applications of these remarkable extremophiles are discussed below.
4.1 Alkaline Active Enzymes
Enzymes which are operationally stable at high pH have got several applications.
Although some alkaline active enzymes have been reported from non-alkaliphiles,
alkaliphiles are the major and reliable sources of these enzymes, and, hence,
wherever there is application of alkaline active enzymes, alkaliphiles are the primary
choices. Among enzymes of alkaliphiles, the enzymes which are secreted out to the
environment are truly evolved to work optimally in alkaline condition, and, hence,
the interest on alkaline active enzymes hovers around these extracellular biocatalysts
of alkaliphiles. Some of the most common applications of these extracellular
enzymes of alkaliphiles are discussed below.
Fig. 2 Some of the high pH adaptations that alkaliphiles deploy to thrive in their extreme habitat
10
G. Mamo and B. Mattiasson