ABSTRACT
Ecology dictates the characteristics of a microbial community. A specific class of microbes survive and propagate under harsh conditions without much alteration, “extremophile,” while the majority needs to acquire particular changes. External stimuli like a nutrient limitation, heavy metals, salinity, antibiotics, pH, temperature change, etc., activate a set of genes in response to these stress conditions. Upregulating exopolymeric saccharides (EPS) production is one such primary modification initiated. EPS encapsulates microbes in the biofilm that acts as a self-protective barrier from the detrimental effects of hostile conditions in the presence of a suitable surface. On encapsulation, the microbial community inside the biofilm works in unity through active communication using quorum sensing, responding diligently to mass transfer across the barrier. Recent biotechnological advancements explored biofilm formation as a natural route for immobilization. Thereby retaining a significant portion of biomass intact while achieving the desired bioprocess requirement. For decades, biofilm had been implemented in wastewater treatment. The potential application of biofilm in a biorefinery approach is also being realized now. This chapter considers the investigations on biotechnologically relevant attributes of extremophiles by tapping into biofilm’s advantages.
