Fundaments and Concepts on Screening of Microorganisms for Biotechnological Applications. Mini Review

Abstract

Microbial biotechnology uses microorganisms and their derivatives to generate industrial and/or environmental products that impact daily life. Modern biotechnology uses proteomics, metabolomics, quantum processors, and massive sequencing methods to yield promising results with microorganisms. However, the fundamental concepts of microbial biotechnology focus on the specific search for microorganisms from natural sources and their correct analysis to implement large-scale processes. This mini-review focuses on the methods used for the isolation and selection of microorganisms with biotechnological potential to empathize the importance of these concepts in microbial biotechnology. In this work, a review of the state of the art in recent years on the selection and characterization of microorganisms with a basic approach to understanding the importance of fundamental concepts in the field of biotechnology was carried out. The proper selection of isolation sources and the design of suitable selection criteria according to the desired activity have generated substantial changes in the development of biotechnology for more than three decades. Some examples include Taq polymerase in the PCR method and CRISPR technology. The objective of this mini review is to establish general ideas for the screening of microorganisms based on basic concepts of biotechnology that are left aside in several articles and maintain the importance of the basic concepts that this implies in the development of modern biotechnology.

The outlooks and key challenges in renewable biomass feedstock utilization for value-added platform chemical via bioprocesses

“…To isolate and select microbes for industrial purposes, the fundamental concepts mainly focus on the targeted screening of microorganisms from natural resources and proper characterization techniques, so that the isolates can be implemented in large-scale operations. The classic technique for microbial isolation and screening from natural resources involves collecting samples from well-chosen surroundings under specific conditions that allow for the presence of the desired microbial population [ 57 ]. The potential to isolate and select microorganisms with targeted uses and applications relies on the geographic conditions of the sample sources, the availability of resources, and the physiology and metabolic activities of the microorganisms.…”

Microbial Biotechnology: A Key Tool for Addressing Climate Change and Food Insecurity

“…They enhance the availability of essential nutrients for plants, improve soil structure, and suppress harmful pathogens. However, climate change can influence microbial communities, potentially altering their functions and affecting the balance of ecosystems (Myers, 2022;Affoh et al, 2022;Lake & Barker, 2012;IMF, 2022).…”

Biotechnological insights into extracellular enzyme production by thermotolerant fungi from hot springs and caves: Morphology, pellets formation, and protease production

“…The amylase activity was assessed by adding Lugol's solution, and the ratio of the clear zone around the growth to the colony size was used as an indicator for the presence of amylase-producing isolates. 5 Protease activity was detected using a milk agar medium containing the following components (g/L): MgSO 4 ⋅7H 2 O 9.7; MgCl 2 ⋅H 2 O 7.0; CaCl 2 3.6; KCl 2.0; NaHCO 3 0.06; NaBr 0.026; ammonium citrate 0.625; and 0.25 of yeast extract. The medium was adjusted to pH 7.3, and 2% agar was added.…”

“…Factors such as temperature, light, pH, altitude, soil composition, salinity, sulfur concentration, and water characteristics contribute to a remarkable diversity of microorganisms through adaptation and evolution, induced by the various selection pressures prevalent in this type of environment. 4,5 Like many microorganisms, fungi have the ability to adapt and evolve in response to their environment, enhancing their physiology to suit the geographic, climatic, and osmotic conditions in which they thrive. This adaptation significantly impacts the regulatory and enzymatic mechanisms of fungi, enabling the production of microbial metabolites that are tailored to specific conditions and can be utilized in industrial processes.…”

“…The caves associated with hot springs are natural environments that exert physiological modifications on the microorganisms residing within them in response to the intrinsic abiotic factors present in these locations. Factors such as temperature, light, pH, altitude, soil composition, salinity, sulfur concentration, and water characteristics contribute to a remarkable diversity of microorganisms through adaptation and evolution, induced by the various selection pressures prevalent in this type of environment 4,5 . Like many microorganisms, fungi have the ability to adapt and evolve in response to their environment, enhancing their physiology to suit the geographic, climatic, and osmotic conditions in which they thrive.…”