Alkaliphilic bacteria: applications in industrial biotechnology

J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011 Jul;38(7):769-90. doi: 10.1007/s10295-011-0968-x. Epub 2011 Apr 11.

Abstract

Alkaliphiles are interesting groups of extremophilic organisms that thrive at pH of 9.0 and above. Many of their products, in particular enzymes, have found widespread applications in industry, primarily in the detergent and laundry industries. While the enzymes have been a runaway success from the industrial point of view, many more products have been reported from alkaliphiles such as antibiotics and carotenoids. Less known are their potential for degradation of xenobiotics. They also play a key role in biogeocycling of important inorganic compounds. This review provides an insight into the huge diversity of alkaliphilic bacteria, the varied products obtained from them, and the need for further investigations on these interesting bacteria.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Industrial Microbiology*