Biotechnological Applications of Biocatalysts from the Firmicutes Bacillus and Geobacillus Species

Bacillus and Geobacillus species are the dominant workhorses in industrial biotechnology. The ability of these bacteria to produce a variety of extracellular enzymes, such as amylases, xylanases, proteases, phytases, carbonic anhydrases, catalases, pectinases and others, has ranked them among the most important enzyme producers. These bacteria produce enzymes that are active in broad pH and temperature ranges, and thus, have led to the development of processes for large scale production of a variety of enzymes with suitable properties for industrial applications. The industrial enzymes are produced by submerged as well as solid state fermentations. Classical mutation and selection techniques, and protein engineering strategies have been used for developing enzymes with the desirable characteristics. The enzymes find applications in starch, paper, food, feed, textile and several other industries.