 Corresponding author: Anupama Prabhakarrao Pathak; Email: Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0. Halophilic microbiome: Distribution, diversity and applications Mukundraj Govindrao Rathod 1 , Gautam Tanaji Kamble 2 , Pratibha Ishwardas Dhawale 2 , Tanya Keshavrao Kendre 2 , Shalini Ananda Kadam 2 , Jivan Munja Dhotare 3 , Ramdas Ganpatrao Bhong 2 and Anupama Prabhakarrao Pathak 2, * 1 Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics (U.G. & P.G.), Yeshwant College of Information Technology, Parbhani 431401(affiliated to Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded), Maharashtra, India. 2 School of Life Sciences (DST-FIST phase-I and UGC-SAP DRS-II sponsored school), Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded-431606, Maharashtra, India. 3 College of Agricultural Biotechnology (affiliated to Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani), Hatta 431705, Taluka Vasmat, Dist. Hingoli, Maharashtra state, India. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(01), 926–933 Publication history: Received on 11 December 2022; revised on 22 January 2023; accepted on 25 January 2023 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.1.0117 Abstract Microorganisms that love salt are known as halophiles, and they are found in both the archaeal and eubacterial domains of life. Halophiles do naturally occur in mesmeric saline habitats such as hypersaline lakes, salt pans, salt marshes, saline soils, and solar salterns. The group of microorganisms that live in a salty environment is known as the halophilic microbiome. This group includes bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, and more. According to how much salt they can tolerate, halophiles are divided into three categories: mild (0.3-0.8 M), moderate (0.8-3.4 M), and extreme (3.4-5.1 M). Seawater already covers the majority of the surface of the Earth and has a salinity of roughly 0.6 M. The most numerous and adaptable microorganisms are therefore those that thrive in such environments. Due to the presence of carotenoids, many halophiles exhibit red-pigmented colonies. This pigment resembles that of tomatoes, red peppers, pink flamingos, and other similar foods. In the production of traditional fermented foods like sauces and pickles, some halophiles play a specific role. Since the majority of their potential is still unknown, halophilic microbes have fewer but more significant biotechnological applications than thermophiles and alkaliphiles. Nevertheless, they could be an important source of many particular biomolecules, including salt-stable enzymes, biopolymers, and pigments. Halophiles may also be crucial for bioprocesses like bioleaching, bioremediation, biotransformation, and biofermentation. Halophiles might have some interesting uses in both medicine and agriculture. This review essay examined the diversity, distribution, and uses of halophiles. Keywords: Archaea; Habitat; Halophiles; Microbiome; Saline soil; Sodic soil 1. Introduction One category of extremophiles is the halophiles. Microorganisms that love salt are called halophiles. They are the most extraordinary type of microorganism due to their ability to survive at concentrations of 10–30% NaCl. Eukaryotes, archaea, and bacteria all contain halophiles [1]. Halophiles can be facultatively anaerobic, obligately anaerobic, aerobic, or microaerophilic [2]. According to estimates, saline and sodic soils cover 932 million hectares of the Earth's surface [3]. The majority of the Earth is covered by sea water, and the average ocean salinity is between 33 and 37 g per litre [4]. The oceans contain roughly 96.5 percent of the planet's total water, covering about 71 percent of its surface [5]. Therefore, the most numerous and adaptable microorganisms are those that thrive in these environments and love and tolerate salt. Halophiles have adapted to a few unique and unusual strategies. Halophiles produce compatible solutes in