Extremophiles: A Novel Source of Industrially Important Enzymes

Microbial life does not seem to be limited to specific environments. During the past few decades it has become clear that microbial communities can be found in the most diverse conditions, including extremes of temperature, pressure, salinity and pH. These microorganisms, called extremophiles, produce biocatalysts that are functional under extreme conditions. Consequently, the unique properties of these biocatalysts have resulted in several novel applications of enzymes in industrial processes. From recent study, major approaches to extending the range of applications of extremozymes have emerged. Both the discovery of new extremophilic species and the determination of genome sequences provide a route to new enzymes, with the possibility that these will lead to novel applications. Only a minor fraction of the microorganisms on earth have been exploited. Novel developments in the cultivation and production of extremophiles but also developments related to the cloning and expression of their genes in heterologous hosts, will increase the number of enzyme-driven transformations in chemical, food, pharmaceutical and other industrial applications. Of equal importance directed evolutions provide approaches to improve enzyme stability and modify specificity in ways that may not exist in the natural world.