Biomolecules produced by extremophiles microorganisms and recent discoveries

Abstract Extremophiles organisms are defined by the environmental conditions in which they can survive and grow maintaining the metabolic pathway in dynamic process. Extremophilic microorganisms developed defense strategies to survive under extreme pressure (piezophilic), temperature (psychrophilic, thermophilic, or hyperthermophilic), salinity (halophilic), dryness (xerophilic), pH (acidophilic or alkaliphilic), low nutrient (oligotrophic), or even within rock or within pores of mineral grains (endolithic), leading to the biosynthesis of biomolecules with diverse biological activities. In general, microorganisms can be considered a chemical factory, and extremophiles are an interesting source for innovative products in biotechnology due to their ability to produce different kinds of several biomolecules with prospective application in the pharmaceutical, medical, and agricultural fields. The study of aspects of life in extreme environments is an exciting area of research and despite the latest advances and engagement of researchers around the world, the fact is that the knowledge in this field is still incipient considering the hugeness of microorganisms’ life context and diversity. This chapter aims specifically to highlight the relevance of extremophiles as a rich source for biomolecules with biotechnological potential. Recent discoveries and biotechnological applications of biomolecules produced by extremophiles microorganisms highlighting the importance of bacteria, archaea, and fungi for biotechnology are described. The knowledge in microorganisms’ strategies for surviving can certainly offer benefits for humanity, mainly with regard to aiding us to understand what form life takes on other planetary bodies in our own solar system and beyond.