Molecular diversity and enzymatic potential of salt-tolerant alkaliphilic actinomycetes

Salt-tolerant alkaliphilic actinomycetes are difficult to isolate as their natural environments are much more different and hostile than laboratory conditions. Due to these limitations, majority of the microbial population remain uncultivated. During the recent years, development and application of molecular techniques, such as; DGGE, TGGE, RFLP and DNADNA hybridization have proved quite valuable in judging the distribution and diversity of these organisms. While majority of the studies related to enzymes are confined to halophilic/alkaliphilic bacteria, similar account with respect to halotolerant alkaliphilic actinomycete is nearly unattended. Salt-tolerant alkaliphilic actinomycetes produce alkaline proteases, amylases, cellulases and lipases that are functional under extreme conditions. Consequently, having unique properties, these biocatalysts would attract several novel applications in industrial processes. Recent studies have revealed vast spectrum of enzymes; alkaline proteases, amylases and cellulases in salt-tolerant alkaliphilic actinomycetes from the saline habitats along the coast of Gujarat in India.