Discovery of novel enzymes from extreme environments through metagenomic approaches: A mini-review

Abstract

Extremophilic microorganisms are able to survive under extreme conditions of temperature, pH, salinity and pressure, such as hypersaline soils, hydrothermal vents, acidic coal mines and soda lakes. These microorganisms have special genetic and physiological modifications to survive under abiotic and biotic stresses. Extremozymes are considered as an important source for different industrial and biotechnological applications. With the advent of meta-omics approaches, the discovery of novel enzymes has accelerated. Using function- and sequence-based metagenomics, a large number of enzymes have been identified and characterized directly from extreme environments. Many extremozymes such as proteases, amylases, esterases, cellulases, chitinases, oxidoreductases and hydrolases have special properties to work at a wide range of salt, pH and temperature. In this review, the discovery and industrial applications of novel enzymes from extreme environments through metagenomic approaches have been discussed. We have also explained the screening methods of novel extremozymes through function- and sequence-based metagenomics.