Microbial diversity and enzymes of hot springs

Abstract:

Microbial diversity of hot springs includes species diversity, genetic diversity, physiological diversity and ecological diversity. It is influenced by geographical position, temperature, pH value, chemical composition (sulfur, boron, iron, arsenic ions and compounds), oxygen and light. Many thermophilic enzymes have been isolated from thermophilic microorganisms in hot springs. This paper summarizes the microbial diversity of hot springs and its influencing factors, discusses the widely used microbial enzymes produced by microorganisms from hot springs. This would promote the research of hot springs’ microbial diversity, and benefit for the exploitation of hot springs’ microbial resources.