Industrial and environmental applications of halophilic microorganisms
In comparison with the thermophilic and the alkaliphilic extremophiles, halophilic microorganisms have as yet found relatively few biotechnological applications. Halophiles are involved in centuries-old processes such as the manufacturing of solar salt from seawater and the production of traditional...
| Publié dans: | Environmental technology. - 1993. - 31(2010), 8-9 vom: 11. Juli, Seite 825-34 |
|---|---|
| Auteur principal: | |
| Format: | Article en ligne |
| Langue: | English |
| Publié: |
2010
|
| Accès à la collection: | Environmental technology |
| Sujets: | Journal Article Review Amino Acids, Diamino beta Carotene 01YAE03M7J ectoine 7GXZ3858RY |
| Résumé: | In comparison with the thermophilic and the alkaliphilic extremophiles, halophilic microorganisms have as yet found relatively few biotechnological applications. Halophiles are involved in centuries-old processes such as the manufacturing of solar salt from seawater and the production of traditional fermented foods. Two biotechnological processes involving halophiles are highly successful: the production of beta-carotene by the green alga Dunaliella and the production of ectoine (1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid), used as a stabilizer for enzymes and now also applied in cosmetic products, from moderately halophilic bacteria. The potential use of bacteriorhodopsin, the retinal protein proton pump of Halobacterium, in optoelectronic devices and photochemical processes is being explored, and may well lead to commercial applications in the near future. Demand for salt-tolerant enzymes in current manufacturing or related processes is limited. Other possible uses of halophilic microorganisms such as treatment of saline and hypersaline wastewaters, and the production of exopolysaccharides, poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate bioplastics and biofuel are being investigated, but no large-scale applications have yet been reported |
|---|---|
| Description: | Date Completed 31.08.2010 Date Revised 09.01.2024 published: Print Citation Status MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1479-487X |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09593330903370026 |