ABSTRACT
Thermophilic microorganisms are ubiquitous. The temperature conditions were obviously favorable in hot springs for the growth of thermophiles. The cellular proteins of thermophiles are of immense research interest in basic and applied areas like evolution, industrial, medical, biotechnology and molecular biology. The rapidity of growth and senescence in thermophilic cultures at elevated temperatures made it desirable to use shorter time intervals for incubation than those recommended for the mesophilic spore forming bacteria. Several species of thermophilic microorganisms produce thermostable proteases which are of immense research interest in basic and applied areas like evolution, industrial, medical, biotechnology and molecular biology. Thermophilic bacteria are known to produce novel bioactive molecules. Thermophiles have a lower biomass yield but an increased product to substrate ratio. Commercially market driven demand is to isolate novel wild type thermophilic protease producing microorganisms which will have good activity and stability in the presence of harsh conditions like organic solvents, detergents, surfactants and oxidants – ‘robust protease’.
