Editing Extremophile (section)

== Biotechnology ==
{{Main|Extremophiles in biotechnology}}
The thermoalkaliphilic [[catalase]], which initiates the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water, was isolated from an organism, ''[[Thermus brockianus]]'', found in [[Yellowstone National Park]] by [[Idaho National Laboratory]] researchers. The catalase operates over a temperature range from 30&nbsp;°C to over 94&nbsp;°C and a pH range from 6–10. This catalase is extremely stable compared to other catalases at high temperatures and pH. In a comparative study, the ''T. brockianus'' catalase exhibited a half life of 15 days at 80&nbsp;°C and pH 10 while a catalase derived from ''[[Aspergillus niger]]'' had a half life of 15 seconds under the same conditions. The catalase will have applications for removal of hydrogen peroxide in industrial processes such as pulp and paper bleaching, textile bleaching, food pasteurization, and surface decontamination of food packaging.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bioenergy and Industrial Microbiology |url=https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/idaho_national_laboratory_biological_systems/352/bioenergy_and_industrial_microbiology/2660 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018040930/https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/idaho_national_laboratory_biological_systems/352/bioenergy_and_industrial_microbiology/2660 |archive-date=18 October 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014 |website=Idaho National Laboratory |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy}}</ref>

DNA modifying enzymes such as ''[[Taq polymerase|Taq]]'' DNA polymerase and some ''[[Bacillus]]'' enzymes used in clinical diagnostics and starch liquefaction are produced commercially by several biotechnology companies.<ref name="AnitoriRP">{{Cite book |title=Extremophiles: Microbiology and Biotechnology |publisher=[[Caister Academic Press]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-904455-98-1 |veditors=Anitori RP}}</ref>