Thermostable enzymes and polysaccharides produced by thermophilic bacteria isolated from Bulgarian hot springs.

Thermostable enzymes (thermozymes) have been recognized as extremophilic compounds with a greatest biotechnological importance in different industrial areas. Quite recently exopolysaccharides (EPSs) synthesized by thermophiles became an object of increased research interest due to their unique properties appropriate for some specific industrial needs. Thermophilic producers of biotechnologically valuable enzymes and novel EPS were isolated by our group from Bulgarian thermal springs with a diverse geotectonic origin and different water properties. Laboratory reactor processes for their production were developed in batch and continuous cultures. Some of the synthesized thermostable enzymes were among the first described in their groups, for example, the single known thermostable gellan lyase that demonstrated specific activity higher than that of the mesophilic enzymes. Isolated by us thermostable xylanase was able to degrade more than 60% of beechwood xylan in a coprocess with an archaeal β-xylosidase. Lipase purified by us was active between 55 and 90°C with an optimum at 75-80°C in a large pH range. It was able to degrade a broad range of substrates. Isolates from Bulgarian hot springs synthesized EPS with novel composition and high thermostability. Thus, Bulgarian hot springs harbor a wide set of thermophilic producers of novel enzymes and EPS with potential for a large number of biotechnological applications.