ACTA SCIENTIFIC MICROBIOLOGY (ISSN: 2581-3226) Volume 3 Issue 1 January 2020 The Extremes of Life and Extremozymes: Diversity and Perspectives Jagdish Parihar and Ashima Bagaria* Department of Physics, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India *Corresponding Author: Ashima Bagaria, Department of Physics, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Review Article Microorganisms have the capability to survive in all extremity’s environments. The most preferred range of environmental condi- tions for microorganisms are temperature (20 - 40 o C), pH (nearly neutral), pressure (1atm), adequate amount of oxygen, water sup- ply, nutrients and salts concentration. But there are a few organ- isms which survive in extremely harsh conditions where normal life fails to flourish these organisms are known as "Extremophiles". In order to differentiate different forms of microorganism there is still optimal range where most of the organism grows they are the termed as mesophiles [1]. The name "Extremophiles" term was coined by R D Mac Elroy in 1971 after the discovery of the first extremophile discovered was Thermus aquaticus in Yellow stone park by microbiologist. Extensive studies on thermophiles has shown similarity with the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) found in hot water or hot springs. This has drawn the conclusion that life on earth may have been originated from hot water springs and its surrounding environments with geological chemical compositions [2]. A previous report released from NASA, reflects the existence of these extremophiles in virtually every corner of this planet, celes- tial bodies and extra-terrestrial space. This supports the specula- tions that these invaluable creature extremophiles have on life, evolution and their presence beyond this planet [3]. Abstract Keywords: Extremophiles; Extremozymes; Adaptations and Industrial Applications In mid 60’s and 70’s the discovery of Thermus aquaticus from Yellowstone National park in USA which could survive at extremely high temperatures of 80°C, opened gates towards exploration of extremophiles that emerged as a new field of microbiology. The microorganisms that can thrive at extreme environmental conditions where normal organisms fail to sustain are known as extremophiles. These microorganisms are found mainly in hot water springs, deep ocean vents, volcano pits, deep ice zones, deserts, saline lakes, mines, rocks beds and radiation zones etc. Since last two decades, the research data on extremophiles has increased exponentially as the enzymes extracted from the extremophilic microorganisms have shown potency in various industries like paper and pulp, leather, detergent, diary textiles, food and beverages, pharma, medicines and biotech industries. The current review encapsulates the knowledge about various extremophiles and their potential therapeutic and biotechnological applications. Introduction Extremophile term is derived from Latin word ‘Extremus’ mean- ing 'extreme' and Greek word ‘philia’ meaning ‘love’. Extremophiles are characterized in all three domains of life archaea, prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Most of the known extremophiles are microorgan- ism. Extremophiles were previously unknown, but the exploitation of extremozymes at an industrial scale emerged as promising field that had various industrial application [4]. After development in the field of extremophiles number of societies and forum were es- tablished. The first International Congress on Extremophiles was convened in Portugal (1996) and establishment of scientific journal on “extremophiles” in 1997. An International society for extremo- philes (ISE) was also formed (2002) to share the ideas, information and development in the field of extremophiles all over the world. At the global level, since the discovery of extremophiles, many societies and union have been formed to investigate extremophiles and their role in various industries as well as their mechanisms, which may provide therapeutic insights in the field. Alkaline pro- teases isolated from Turkey and Malaysia have shown enormous potential in detergent industry such as bleach and thermal stabil- ity [5]. In addition, novel thermoalkalophilic such as Anoxybacillus sp strain KB4 from Turkey have been identified in [6], Zimbabwe [7], Antarctica and Mexico [8] that have an application in protein processing [9] and bioenergetics of ATP synthesis [10]. At genome Received: November 12, 2019 © All rights are reserved by Jagdish Parihar and Ashima Bagaria Published: December 23, 2019 DOI: 10.31080/ASMI.2020.03.0466 Citation: Jagdish Parihar and Ashima Bagaria. “The Extremes of Life and Extremozymes: Diversity and Perspectives". Acta Scientific Microbiology 3.1 (2020): 107-119.