Halophilic Microorganisms from Man-Made and Natural Hypersaline Environments: Physiology, Ecology, and Biotechnological Potential

Halophilic prokaryotes are of increasing interest for a wide range of biotechnological applications. This chapter provides an overview of their classification and taxonomy; describes their ecology and characteristic environments, including less known hypersaline sites in Romania; and presents current applications including bioremediation, extracellular enzymes, exopolysaccharides, and halocins. Promising developments such as S-layers and bionanotechnology are also discussed. A section on therapeutic uses of saline environments (lakes, natural salt caves) is presented.