Lake Urmia halophiles are valuable microorganisms in the production of biotechnological products
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Nafiseh Soudi,1,* Mohammad Asgharzadeh,2
1. Department of Laboratory Science-Tabriz Faculty of Paramedicine -Tabriz University of Medical Science
2. Department of Laboratory Science-Tabriz Faculty of Paramedicine -Tabriz University of Medical Science
- Introduction: In recent years, the links between human life and biotechnology have encouraged researchers to find more efficient microorganisms in the production of pharmaceuticals and other necessary materials. Study of halophytic microorganisms has gained importance due to their potentialities in biotechnology. Consequently, Lake Urmia, as Iran’s largest endorheic salt-lake and one of the hyper-saline lakes in the world that is similar to the Great Salt Lake in the United States, enjoys great importance as a suitable substrate for development and extraction of these microorganisms.
- Methods: By studying the research that has been done in the field of identifying the biological factors of this lake, a number of founded species were examined.
- Results: Studies for determining the biosphere reserves in this lake have identified various groups of halophilic microorganisms including the bacterial genus Salinivibrio strains of which are used to produce the enzyme L-asparaginase, an effective drug for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- Conclusion: Utilization of this resource can be effective in supplying the biotechnological products needed in the country. In addition, export of these products to the global market will earn foreign currency besides improving Iran’s scientific status in the world. Therefore, in order to achieve these objectives, it is necessary to pay greater attention to Lake Urmia and the other valuable biosphere reserves in the country.
- Keywords: Lake Urmia - Halophilic microorganisms -Biotechnological products
