PROPERTIES OF COLD-ADAPTED MICROORGANISMS AND THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Cold-adapted (psychrophilic and psychrotrophic) microorganisms are distinguished from mesophiles by their ability to grow at low temperatures. They are widely distributed in nature. Their response to high temperatures was shown to be disruption in protein synthesis by inability of RNA formation, alterations of the structure of nucleic acids, inactivation of thermolabile enzymes, activation of lytic enzymes, alterations of the cell morphology, inhibition of cell division and induction of heat shock proteins. At low temperatures, among other physiological characteristics. psychrophiles and psychrotrophs have slower metabolic rates and higher catalytic efficiencies than mesophiles. The genetic basis of cold adaptation is not cleared up. Cold-adapted microorganisms have a considerable potential in biotechnological application (waste treatment at ambient temperatures, enzymology, food industry, medicine).