11
Marine Microorganism Resources
and Biotechnology
Contents
11.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 381
11.2 Characteristics of Marine Microorganisms ..................................................................... 383
11.3 Bioactive Substances from Marine Microorganisms ...................................................... 390
11.4 Development of Biocatalysts from Microorganisms ...................................................... 396
11.5 Enzyme Inhibitors Produced by Marine Microorganisms.............................................. 405
11.6 Chapter Summary and Conclusion ................................................................................. 412
References .................................................................................................................................. 413
11.1 Introduction
The seas are a eutrophic environment with different characteristics from land,
including high pressure, low temperatures, and salinity. Microorganisms survive
even in oligotrophic environments further out in the ocean, where concentrations of
organic and inorganic matter are low in comparison with coastal regions. Bacteria
live at a rate of 10
7
–10
8 cells/mL in the organic matter-rich coastal environment
and in sediment on the ocean floor, and 10
4
–10
6 cells/mL even in the oligotrophic
high sea environment (Roszak and Colwell 1987).
Marine microorganisms exhibit great diversity, inhabiting the oceans not only
vertically from surface to depths, but also horizontally, living even in the mud at the
ocean floor. Researchers have been astonished to find microorganisms in highly
acidic, high- or ultra-high-temperature, and high-pressure environments and around
hydrothermal vents on the deep sea bottom. The discovery of these amazing
organisms and their ability to survive in abundance has drawn new attention to the
role of marine microorganisms in this. Occupying a pivotal role in the circulation of
matter in the seas, marine microorganisms are involved both directly and indirectly
in the breakdown of many kinds of organic matter, helping to sustain the oceanic
environment (Munn 2011).
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
S.-K. Kim, Essentials of Marine Biotechnology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20944-5_11
381
Marine Microorganism Resources
and Biotechnology
Contents
11.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 381
11.2 Characteristics of Marine Microorganisms ..................................................................... 383
11.3 Bioactive Substances from Marine Microorganisms ...................................................... 390
11.4 Development of Biocatalysts from Microorganisms ...................................................... 396
11.5 Enzyme Inhibitors Produced by Marine Microorganisms.............................................. 405
11.6 Chapter Summary and Conclusion ................................................................................. 412
References .................................................................................................................................. 413
11.1 Introduction
The seas are a eutrophic environment with different characteristics from land,
including high pressure, low temperatures, and salinity. Microorganisms survive
even in oligotrophic environments further out in the ocean, where concentrations of
organic and inorganic matter are low in comparison with coastal regions. Bacteria
live at a rate of 10
7
–10
8 cells/mL in the organic matter-rich coastal environment
and in sediment on the ocean floor, and 10
4
–10
6 cells/mL even in the oligotrophic
high sea environment (Roszak and Colwell 1987).
Marine microorganisms exhibit great diversity, inhabiting the oceans not only
vertically from surface to depths, but also horizontally, living even in the mud at the
ocean floor. Researchers have been astonished to find microorganisms in highly
acidic, high- or ultra-high-temperature, and high-pressure environments and around
hydrothermal vents on the deep sea bottom. The discovery of these amazing
organisms and their ability to survive in abundance has drawn new attention to the
role of marine microorganisms in this. Occupying a pivotal role in the circulation of
matter in the seas, marine microorganisms are involved both directly and indirectly
in the breakdown of many kinds of organic matter, helping to sustain the oceanic
environment (Munn 2011).
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
S.-K. Kim, Essentials of Marine Biotechnology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20944-5_11
381