MICRO-C-OMICS-24: Some Like it Alkaline
Let’s continue my extremophilic (=extreme- loving) microorganisms series with Alkaliphiles. Alkaliphilic microorganisms grow best at high alkaline conditions, usually at pH higher than 9. (pH is the measure of Hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, indicating if the solution is acidic or alkaline. Pure water has a pH of 7, anything with a pH higher than 7 is alkaline and lower than 7 is acidic). Alkaliphilic bacteria are mainly found in soda lakes , like the Rift Valley Lakes in Africa, in alkaline soils, like some deserts in western US, or in alkaline hydrothermal vents. These bacteria are also found in biotechnological processes that operate under high alkalinity, e.g., indigo dye (the famous ancient blue dye that is used to dye your denims) production is assisted by the alkaliphilic bacteria. The enzymes from these bacteria are also used in detergent industry, bleaching of wood pulp, etc. And like the other extremophiles, these bacteria provide clues about the origin of life on Earth and about life in other planets.
