Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Novel Alkalithermophiles

Enzymes, drugs and other industrial valuable products such as organic acids, antibiotic, enzymes, carotenoids and cholic acid derivatives, are high value products which can form the basis of bioeconomy yet not fully exploited. This project sought to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of the hot springs in Lake Bogoria, isolate, characterize and identify alkalithermophiles and screen the isolates for the production of valuable enzymes and secondary metabolites such as antimicrobials with antagonistic effect against micro-organisms. Hot springs are aquatic environments with high temperatures. They harbour diverse groups of micro-organisms that have developed mechanisms to thrive at wide temperature ranges, according to their optimal growth requirements. Research on these microbes is motivated by their great biotechnological potential such as production of useful secondary metabolites and enzymes with industrial application. The objectives of this research was to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of the hot springs in Lake Bogoria, isolate, characterize and identify alkalithermophiles and then screen the isolates for the production of useful metabolites.