Domain Archaea – system overview, metabolism, biotechnological potential

Abstract

An overview of Archaea, the most ancient domain of life, was carried out. The phylogenetic relationship of Archaea with bacteria and eukaryotes are considered, and the morpho-physiological characteristics of their main groups are given. The biotechnological potential of Archaea is discussed. Cost-effective products of Archaeal biosynthesis are bacterioruberin, squalene, bacteriorhodopsin and diester/tetraether lipids. The production of other metabolic products of Archaea, such as carotenoids, hydrogen, polyhydroxyalkanoates and methane, are in advanced stages of development. While the biological production of methane and hydrogen currently lags behind the profitability of petrochemical plants, research aimed at enhancing the efficiency of this process with the involvement of Archaea holds strategic significance. Archaea also represent a promising target for application in nanotechnology and bioengineering. The aim of the present review is to unveil the biotechnological potential of Archaea, provide an overview of the main groups within this domain, their morphophysiological characteristics, present a generalized metabolite profile of these groups, and outline the spectrum of productions involving these intriguing microorganisms.