To utilize alkaliphiles efficiently, it is necessary to implement these molecular
techniques and hence, it is desirable to understand their genetic makeup. Thus,
there have been studies on the genomes of alkaliphiles for which a chapter is
dedicated in this volume.
It is not only the applications of alkaliphiles that are enthralling, but the mechanism of how these organisms adapted to the extreme pH habitats which are often
lethal to other life forms is also intriguing. There are some progresses that depict part
of the alkaline adaptations. In this volume, some of the most important adaptation
mechanisms are highlighted and new insights which might stimulate further studies
are included.
At least some of the unique products and physiologies of alkaliphiles which are of
great importance to biotechnology emanate from the high pH adaptation mechanism.
For instance, alkaliphiles produce organic acids that alleviate the high pH stress, an
ability that can be tapped for commercial production of organic acids. Similarly,
alkaliphiles adaptation resulted in novel siderophores, exopolysaccharides, carotenoids, biosurfactants, and many other metabolites with immense application potential.
One of the most important and well-studied alkaliphiles adaptations, which attracted
a great deal of interest, is their alkaline-active and -stable enzymes. These unique
enzymes are suitable for high pH biocatalysis and are implemented in several
processes. Among alkaline active enzymes, those enzymes which modify starch,
hemicellulose, and protein are relatively the most studied and account for the greater
portion of the current alkaline active enzymes’ applications. The real and potential
applications of these extraordinary extracellular enzymes of alkaliphiles are covered
in the volume.
In addition to their products, alkaliphiles whole cells have got applications such
as in food and feed supplementation, waste treatment, biofuel, and other chemical
production. Another newly emerging application of alkaliphiles is in the construction industry where alkaliphiles are winning growing attention to treat concrete.
Alkaliphiles have been tried to make concrete surface coatings, repair concrete
cracks, and engineer self-healing concretes. Moreover, it can also serve in many
other related applications such as in bioclogging, bioaggregation, and as concrete
admixture. This book highlights the major advances of alkaliphiles applications in
the construction industry.
Although alkaliphiles are one of the oldest organisms, it is among the newcomers
into the circle of biotechnology. Hence, an active research is ongoing and some of
these studies trickle in new fascinating applications and discoveries. The emergence
of new techniques, the desire for new products, the growing demand for organic
products and biotechnological processes, and the proven versatility of alkaliphiles in
serving different sectors of biotechnology may indicate the possible expansion of
alkaliphiles biotechnological utilization in years to come.
As editors of this volume, we have acquired a lot from the chapters written by
scientists who are specialists in the field and hence, we would like to extend our
heartfelt gratitude to all the authors for their outstanding contribution and efforts for
vi
Preface
techniques and hence, it is desirable to understand their genetic makeup. Thus,
there have been studies on the genomes of alkaliphiles for which a chapter is
dedicated in this volume.
It is not only the applications of alkaliphiles that are enthralling, but the mechanism of how these organisms adapted to the extreme pH habitats which are often
lethal to other life forms is also intriguing. There are some progresses that depict part
of the alkaline adaptations. In this volume, some of the most important adaptation
mechanisms are highlighted and new insights which might stimulate further studies
are included.
At least some of the unique products and physiologies of alkaliphiles which are of
great importance to biotechnology emanate from the high pH adaptation mechanism.
For instance, alkaliphiles produce organic acids that alleviate the high pH stress, an
ability that can be tapped for commercial production of organic acids. Similarly,
alkaliphiles adaptation resulted in novel siderophores, exopolysaccharides, carotenoids, biosurfactants, and many other metabolites with immense application potential.
One of the most important and well-studied alkaliphiles adaptations, which attracted
a great deal of interest, is their alkaline-active and -stable enzymes. These unique
enzymes are suitable for high pH biocatalysis and are implemented in several
processes. Among alkaline active enzymes, those enzymes which modify starch,
hemicellulose, and protein are relatively the most studied and account for the greater
portion of the current alkaline active enzymes’ applications. The real and potential
applications of these extraordinary extracellular enzymes of alkaliphiles are covered
in the volume.
In addition to their products, alkaliphiles whole cells have got applications such
as in food and feed supplementation, waste treatment, biofuel, and other chemical
production. Another newly emerging application of alkaliphiles is in the construction industry where alkaliphiles are winning growing attention to treat concrete.
Alkaliphiles have been tried to make concrete surface coatings, repair concrete
cracks, and engineer self-healing concretes. Moreover, it can also serve in many
other related applications such as in bioclogging, bioaggregation, and as concrete
admixture. This book highlights the major advances of alkaliphiles applications in
the construction industry.
Although alkaliphiles are one of the oldest organisms, it is among the newcomers
into the circle of biotechnology. Hence, an active research is ongoing and some of
these studies trickle in new fascinating applications and discoveries. The emergence
of new techniques, the desire for new products, the growing demand for organic
products and biotechnological processes, and the proven versatility of alkaliphiles in
serving different sectors of biotechnology may indicate the possible expansion of
alkaliphiles biotechnological utilization in years to come.
As editors of this volume, we have acquired a lot from the chapters written by
scientists who are specialists in the field and hence, we would like to extend our
heartfelt gratitude to all the authors for their outstanding contribution and efforts for
vi
Preface