Biotechnological Potential Research Articles

Advances in Extremophile Research: Biotechnological Applications through Isolation and Identification Techniques.

Extremophiles, organisms thriving in extreme environments such as hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and hypersaline ecosystems, have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable adaptability and biotechnological potential. This review presents recent advancements in isolating and characterizing extremophiles, highlighting their applications in enzyme production, bioplastics, environmental management, and space exploration. The unique biological mechanisms of extremophiles offer valuable insights into life's resilience and potential uses in industry and astrobiology.

Unraveling the impact of pH, sodium concentration, and medium osmolality on Vibrio natriegens in batch processes

BackgroundVibrio natriegens, a halophilic marine γ-proteobacterium, holds immense biotechnological potential due to its remarkably short generation time of under ten minutes. However, the highest growth rates have been primarily observed on complex media, which often suffer from batch-to-batch variability affecting process stability and performance. Consistent bioprocesses necessitate the use of chemically defined media, which are usually optimized for fermenters with pH and dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) regulation, both of which are not applied during early-stage cultivations in shake flasks or microtiter plates. Existing studies on V. natriegens’ growth on mineral media report partially conflicting results, and a comprehensive study examining the combined effects of pH buffering, sodium concentration, and medium osmolality is lacking.ResultsThis study evaluates the influence of sodium concentration, pH buffering, and medium osmolality on the growth of V. natriegens under unregulated small-scale conditions. The maximum growth rate, time of glucose depletion, as well as the onset of stationary phase were observed through online-monitoring the oxygen transfer rate. The results revealed optimal growth conditions at an initial pH of 8.0 with a minimum of 300 mM MOPS buffer for media containing 20 g/L glucose or 180 mM MOPS for media with 10 g/L glucose. Optimal sodium chloride supplementation was found to be between 7.5 and 15 g/L, lower than previously reported ranges. This is advantageous for reducing industrial corrosion issues. Additionally, an osmolality range of 1 to 1.6 Osmol/kg was determined to be optimal for growth. Under these optimized conditions, V. natriegens achieved a growth rate of 1.97 ± 0.13 1/h over a period of 1 h at 37 °C, the highest reported rate for this organism on a mineral medium.ConclusionThis study provides guidelines for cultivating V. natriegens in early-stage laboratory settings without pH and DOT regulation. The findings suggest a lower optimal sodium chloride range than previously reported and establish an osmolality window for optimal growth, thereby advancing the understanding of V. natriegens’ physiology. In addition, this study offers a foundation for future research into the effects of different ions and carbon sources on V. natriegens.

A BIOPIRATARIA NA ÉPOCA DAS CIÊNCIAS ÔMICAS

Other nations have appropriated Brazil’s natural resources since the arrival of the Portuguese on Brazilian soil. Throughout history, countless explorers have arrived here to appropriate Brazil’s riches, especially its biodiversity. With advances in genetic engineering and omics sciences, there has been a change in how biopiracy is practiced, moving from the trafficking of fauna and flora species to the appropriation of genetic information from species belonging to the natural genetic heritage with biotechnological potential. This change has important repercussions on the global patent registration system and poses new challenges to monitoring and protecting Brazil’s genetic heritage.

Methyl red dye decolourization by the photosynthetic bacteria, Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Afifellamarina

Anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria are common inhabitants of wastewater: we found that Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Afifella marina in eutrophic conditions only partially degraded the azo dye (50 mmol m−3), Methyl Red, but completely degraded it under specially defined conditions. The azo dye is potentially a source of both carbon and fixed nitrogen. Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Afifella marina can live heterotrophically, photoheterotrophically or photoautotrophically under anoxic conditions where they can fix N2 if no organic nitrogen or NH3 is available. If organic carbon sources are available or if NH3 is present, the cells again only partially catabolised Methyl Red. In the absence of no alternative organic carbon sources and no NH3, the cells almost completely spectroscopically decolourised Methyl Red in 4 days. In sewage ponds the ready availability of alternative organic carbon and NH3 would result in only partial removal of Methyl Red. Rhodopseudomonas cells responded to the availability of Methyl Red in N-free media, by increasing both Optimum irradiance and maximum ETR (Eopt 276.3 μmol quanta m−2 s−1; ETRmax 391.4 μmol e− g−1 BChl a s−1) compared to control cells incubated in PM media with no organic carbon source and no fixed N-source (Eopt 115.2 μmol quanta m−2 s−1; ETRmax = 153.0 μmol e− g−1 BChl a s−1. If no alternative C or N sources are available, Rhodopseudomonas embedded in alginate biobeads will completely and repeatedly break down Methyl Red. The marine Afifella readily broke down Methyl Red but again breakdown was only complete if alternative carbon and no fixed nitrogen sources were available. The toxicity of the breakdown products produced by photosynthetic bacteria from azo-dyes needs to be followed up. Photosynthetic bacterial-alginate biobeads have long lifetimes (Rhodopseudomonas ≈ 2 months, Afifella > 6 months) making them of great biotechnological potential.

Host Tropism and Structural Biology of ABC Toxin Complexes.

ABC toxin complexes are a class of protein toxin translocases comprised of a multimeric assembly of protein subunits. Each subunit displays a unique composition, contributing to the formation of a syringe-like nano-machine with natural cargo carrying, targeting, and translocation capabilities. Many of these toxins are insecticidal, drawing increasing interest in agriculture for use as biological pesticides. The A subunit (TcA) is the largest subunit of the complex and contains domains associated with membrane permeation and targeting. The B and C subunits, TcB and TcC, respectively, package into a cocoon-like structure that contains a toxic peptide and are coupled to TcA to form a continuous channel upon final assembly. In this review, we outline the current understanding and gaps in the knowledge pertaining to ABC toxins, highlighting seven published structures of TcAs and how these structures have led to a better understanding of the mechanism of host tropism and toxin translocation. We also highlight similarities and differences between homologues that contribute to variations in host specificity and conformational change. Lastly, we review the biotechnological potential of ABC toxins as both pesticides and cargo-carrying shuttles that enable the transport of peptides into cells.

Exopolysaccharides from the Green Microalga Strain Coelastrella sp. BGV-Isolation, Characterization, and Assessment of Anticancer Potential.

Algal metabolites have been extensively studied as potential anticancer therapeutics. Among them, polysaccharides have attracted much attention because of their beneficial biological effects and safety. In the present research, the chemical characteristics, antitumor, and proapoptotic activities of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) isolated from a new Bulgarian strain of the green microalga Coelastrella sp. BGV were investigated. A fast and convenient method of precipitation with cold ethanol was used to isolate EPS from the culture medium. The chemical characteristics of the isolated EPS were examined by colorimetric and spectrophotometric analyses, HPSEC-RID and HPLC-UV chromatography, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The results showed that the isolated EPS sample consists of three carbohydrate fractions with different molecular weights (11.5 × 104 Da, 30.7 × 104 Da, and 72.4 × 104 Da, respectively) and contains 7.14 (w/w%) protein. HPLC-UV analysis revealed the presence of galactose and fucose. The total uronic acid content in the sample was 4.5 (w/w%). The IR-FT spectrum of EPS revealed the presence of various functional groups typical of a polysaccharide (or proteoglycan) composed primarily of neutral sugars. The anticancer potential of the obtained EPS was assessed using cell lines with cancerous and non-cancerous origins as in vitro experimental models. The results of the performed MTT assay showed that EPS reduced the viability of the cervical and mammary carcinoma cell lines HeLa and MCF-7, while the control non-cancer cell lines BALB/3T3 and HaCaT were less affected. The HeLa cell line showed the highest sensitivity to the effects of EPS and was therefore used for further studies of its anticancer potential. The ability of EPS to inhibit cancer cell migration was demonstrated by wound-healing (scratch) assay. The cell cycle FACS analysis indicated that the EPS treatment induced significant increases in the sub G1 cell population and decreases of the percentages of cells in the G1, S, and G2-M phases, compared to the control. The fluorescent microscopy studies performed using three different staining methods in combination with Annexin V-FITC flow cytometric analysis clearly demonstrate the ability of EPS to induce cancer cell death via the apoptosis pathway. Moreover, an altered pattern and intensity of the immunocytochemical staining for the apoptosis- and proliferation-related proteins p53, bcl2, and Ki67 was detected in EPS-treated HeLa cancer cells as compared to the untreated controls. The obtained results characterize the new local strain of green microalgae Coelastrella sp. BGV as a producer of EPS with selective antitumor activity and provide an opportunity for further studies of its pharmacological and biotechnological potential.

Bacteriocin distribution patterns in Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus lactis: bioinformatic analysis using a tailored genomics framework.

This work significantly expands the knowledge on the understudied bacteriocin diversity in opportunistic enterococci, revealing their contribution in the adaptation to different environments. It underscores the importance of placing increased emphasis on genetic platforms carrying bacteriocins as well as on cryptic plasmids that often exclusively harbor bacteriocins since bacteriocin production can significantly contribute to plasmid maintenance, potentially facilitating their stable transmission across generations. Further characterization of strain-level bacteriocin landscapes could inform strategies to combat high-risk clones. Overall, these insights provide a framework for unraveling the therapeutic and biotechnological potential of bacteriocins.

Monitoring corn stover processing by the fungus Ustilago maydis.

A key aspect of sustainable bioeconomy is the recirculation of renewable, agricultural waste streams as substrates for microbial production of high-value compounds. One approach is the bioconversion of corn stover, an abundant maize crop byproduct, using the fungal maize pathogen Ustilagomaydis. U.maydis is already used as a unicellular biocatalyst in the production of several industrially-relevant compounds using plant biomass hydrolysates. In this study, we demonstrate that U. maydis can grow using untreated corn stover as its sole carbon source. We developed a small-scale bioreactor platform to investigate U.maydis processing of corn stover, combining online monitoring of fungal growth and metabolic activity profiles with biochemical analyses of the pre- and post-fermentation residues. Our results reveal that U. maydis primarily utilizes soluble sugars i.e., glucose, sucrose and fructose present in corn stover, with only limited exploitation of the abundant lignocellulosic carbohydrates. Thus, we further explored the biotechnological potential of enhancing U.maydis´ lignocellulosic utilization. Additive performance improvements of up to 120% were achieved when using a maize mutant with increased biomass digestibility, co-fermentation with a commercial cellulolytic enzyme cocktail, and exploiting engineered fungal strains expressing diverse lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. This work represents a key step towards scaling up the production of sustainable compounds from corn stover using U. maydis and provides a tool for the detailed monitoring of the fungal processing of plant biomass substrates.

Tityus stigmurus-Venom-Loaded Cross-Linked Chitosan Nanoparticles Improve Antimicrobial Activity.

The rapid resistance developed by pathogenic microorganisms against the current antimicrobial pool represents a serious global public health problem, leading to the search for new antibiotic agents. The scorpion Tityus stigmurus, an abundant species in Northeastern Brazil, presents a rich arsenal of bioactive molecules in its venom, with high potential for biotechnological applications. However, venom cytotoxicity constitutes a barrier to the therapeutic application of its different components. The objective of this study was to produce T. stigmurus-venom-loaded cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles (Tsv/CN) at concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0% to improve their biological antimicrobial activity. Polymeric nanoparticles were formed with a homogeneous particle size and spherical shape. Experimental formulation parameters were verified in relation to mean size (<180 nm), zeta potential, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency (>78%). Tsv/CN 1.0% demonstrated an ability to increase the antimicrobial venom effect against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, exhibiting an MIC value of 44.6 μg/mL. It also inhibited different yeast species of the Candida genus, and Tsv/CN 0.5% and 1.0% led to a greater inhibitory effect of C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis strains, presenting MIC values between 22.2 and 5.5 µg/mL, respectively. These data demonstrate the biotechnological potential of these nanosystems to obtain a new therapeutic agent with potential antimicrobial activity.

Potentiating Chlorella vulgaris bioinput as a growth biostimulant in the production of basil seedlings with the addition of vitamin B3

Microalgae have been studied due to their biotechnological potential in agriculture and could be an important source of biostimulants. Similarly, other compounds, such as B3 vitamins (niacin and nicotinamide), have been found to enhance the biostimulant effect on plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate the potentiating effect of Chlorella vulgaris bioinput as a growth biostimulant in the production of basil seedlings (Ocimum basilicum L.) with the addition of vitamin B3. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment on the Mato Grosso do Sul State University - Cassilândia University Unit and the Sustainable Development Center of the Bolsão Sul Mato Grossense. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with four treatments: control, microalgae bioinput (Bio), vitamin B3 (niacin + nicotinamide), and joint application of Bio + vitamin B3, with four replications. The agronomic traits of growth and photosynthetic pigments of the seedlings were evaluated. For the growth of basil seedlings, applying bio input combined with vitamin B3 had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on several variables. This combination increased seedling height, stem diameter, root dry matter, shoot dry matter, total dry matter, and Dickson quality index (DQI) by 19 %, 11 %, 11 %, 41 %, 37 %, and 17 %, respectively, as well as regulating the production of photosynthetic pigments in basil. The results indicate that bioinput combined with niacin and nicotinamide stimulates various plant growth traits, favoring the production of seedlings.

Biochemical and structural insights of a recombinant AA16 LPMO from the marine and sponge-symbiont Peniophora sp

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are copper-dependent enzymes that oxidize polysaccharides, leading to their cleavage. LPMOs are classified into eight CAZy families (AA9-11, AA13-17), with the functionality of AA16 being poorly characterized. This study presents biochemical and structural data for an AA16 LPMO (PnAA16) from the marine sponge symbiont Peniophora sp. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PnAA16 clusters separately from previously characterized AA16s. However, the structural modelling of PnAA16 showed the characteristic immunoglobulin-like fold of LPMOs, with a conserved his-brace motif coordinating a copper ion. The copper-bound PnAA16 showed greater thermal stability than its apo-form, highlighting copper's role in enzyme stability. Functionally, PnAA16 demonstrated oxidase activity, producing 5 μM H₂O₂ after 30 min, but showed 20 times lower peroxidase activity (0.27 U/g) compared to a fungal AA9. Specific activity assays indicated that PnAA16 acts only on cellohexaose, generating native celloligosaccharides (C3 to C5) and oxidized products with regioselective oxidation at C1 and C4 positions. Finally, PnAA16 boosted the activity of a cellulolytic cocktail for cellulose saccharification in the presence of ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide, or both. In conclusion, the present work provides insights into the AA16 family, expanding the understanding of their structural and functional relationships and biotechnological potential.

The Prokaryotic Roots of Eukaryotic Immune Systems.

Over the past two decades, studies have revealed profound evolutionary connections between prokaryotic and eukaryotic immune systems, challenging the notion of their unrelatedness. Immune systems across the tree of life share an operational framework, shaping their biochemical logic and evolutionary trajectories. The diversification of immune genes in the prokaryotic superkingdoms, followed by lateral transfer to eukaryotes, was central to the emergence of innate immunity in the latter. These include protein domains related to nucleotide second messenger-dependent systems, NAD+/nucleotide degradation, and P-loop NTPase domains of the STAND and GTPase clades playing pivotal roles in eukaryotic immunity and inflammation. Moreover, several domains orchestrating programmed cell death, ultimately of prokaryotic provenance, suggest an intimate link between immunity and the emergence of multicellularity in eukaryotes such as animals. While eukaryotes directly adopted some proteins from bacterial immune systems, they repurposed others for new immune functions from bacterial interorganismal conflict systems. These emerging immune components hold substantial biotechnological potential.

Exploring Extremotolerant and Extremophilic Microalgae: New Frontiers in Sustainable Biotechnological Applications.

Exploring extremotolerant and extremophilic microalgae opens new frontiers in sustainable biotechnological applications. These microorganisms thrive in extreme environments and exhibit specialized metabolic pathways, making them valuable for various industries. The study focuses on the ecological adaptation and biotechnological potential of these microalgae, highlighting their ability to produce bioactive compounds under stress conditions. The literature reveals that extremophilic microalgae can significantly enhance biomass production, reduce contamination risks in large-scale systems, and produce valuable biomolecules such as carotenoids, lipids, and proteins. These insights suggest that extremophilic microalgae have promising applications in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biofuel industries, offering sustainable and efficient alternatives to traditional resources. The review concludes that further exploration and utilization of these unique microorganisms can lead to innovative and environmentally friendly solutions in biotechnology.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and its 3D structures from crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway. It has been extensively studied by biochemical and structural techniques. 13 X-ray crystal structures and five electron cryo-microscopy structures in the PDB are focused on in this topical review. Two F420-dependent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (FGD) structures are also reported. The significant differences between human and parasite G6PDs can be exploited tofind selective drugs against infections such as malaria and leishmaniasis. Furthermore, G6PD is a prognostic marker in several cancer types and is also considered to be a tumour target. On the other hand, FGD is considered to be a target against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and possesses a high biotechnological potential in biocatalysis and bioremediation.

Microbial Fermentation and Shelf Life of Potential Biotechnological Products Capable of Pesticide Degradation

The pesticide active ingredient azoxystrobin is widely used in agriculture and has negative effects for the environment and contained organisms. Bacterial strains have been reported to degrade azoxystrobin, but precise methodologies for producing and storing these strains as potential biotechnological products are lacking. The study focused on creating and optimising a non-sterile, small-scale microbial fermentation protocol to produce azoxystrobin-degrading products and to test their shelf life. By testing 14 variants and sampling at three production and two storage time points, the trial demonstrated the successful production and storage of microbial products capable of pesticide degradation. Various measurement parameters such as pH value and organic acids were used to monitor the quality of the microbial products during the production and storage. Further, we developed and validated qPCR assays to rapidly and specifically assess the concentration of the two azoxystrobin degrading strains, namely Bacillus subtilis strain MK101 and Rhodococcus fascians strain MK144. To ensure good specificity, the combination of two qPCR assays targeting two different genome regions was implemented for each strain. The study highlights the significant impact of media selection and bacterial inoculum quantity on the microbial product quality.

Chemical profile and biotechnological potential larvicidal of a nanoemulsion (o/w) of the essential oil of Salvia officinalis L

This study aims to evaluate the chemical profile and biotechnological larvicidal potential of the nanoemulsion of the essential oil of Salvia officinalis L. The leaves of the plant were collected in São Luís, MA, from January to May 2021. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation at 100°C for 3h. Chemical characterization was obtained by GC-MS. The oil-in-water nanoemulsion was formulated by the low-energy phase inversion method and subjected to thermodynamic stability tests. Antioxidant activity is performed by the spectrophotometric method of scavenging hydroxyl radicals from salicylic acid. For larvicidal activity, Aedes aegypti larvae were subjected to EO solutions and nanoemulsions in concentrations (10-100 mg L-1), larval mortality was evaluated, and the LC50 was determined by the Probit method. The majority compounds of the EO were: eucalyptol with 65.14%, camphor (30.63%), and α-Terpineol (1.53%). The formulations were characterized as nanoemulsions with a droplet size &lt;200 nm. The PDI was &lt;0.200, indicating a narrow size distribution. The antioxidant activity exhibited EC50 of 136.29 mg L-1 and 51.59 mg L-1. The nanoemulsion with larvicidal potential showed an LC50 of 71.17 mg L-1. The nanoemulsion showed bioactive potential for larvicidal action, which may be related to the presence of its chemical compounds, and its use is encouraged in the fight against Aedes aegypti.

Chemical characterization and biotechnological potential of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oil nanoemulsions

This study aimed to determine the total phenolic compounds, evaluate the antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities of nanoemulsions (O/W) and essential oils (EOs) from Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary). The plant material was obtained in the city of São Luís (MA). The EO was obtained by the hydrodistillation technique in a modified Clevenger extractor, and the NOE’s by phase inversion. The chemical constituents of EO were determined by GC-MS. The determination of total phenolic compounds (TPC) was performed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The anti-inflammatory activity was performed by the method of protein denaturation, and the antioxidant activity was performed by the spectrophotometric method of scavenging hydroxyl radicals. The GC-MS allowed quantifying 1,8-cineol (30.22%), α-pinene (22.14%), camphor (18.33%), and camphene (10.36%) as major components of the EO. The TPC of the EO was quantified at 26.74 mg EAT g-1 and the refractive index at 1.466 nD 25°. In the antioxidant activity test, an EC50 of 80.33 mgL-1 was obtained for the EO and from 19.56 to 408.85 mg L-1 for the nanoemulsions. In the anti-inflammatory activity assay, an EC50 of 62.46 mgL-1 was obtained for EO and 64.96 to 4220.25 mg L-1 for NOE’s. Finally, the pharmacological activities tested showed efficient values for EC50, therefore being considered active. This activity is attributed to the chemical compounds present, thus encouraging studies with this species aiming at its potential application in a formulated bioproduct.

Agricultural Biotechnological Potential of Bacillus velezensis C3-3 and Cytobacillus sp. T106 from Resource Islands of a Semi-arid Zone of La Guajira-Colombia

Resource islands are vegetative formations in arid and semi-arid ecosystems that harbor microorganisms facing extreme conditions. However, there is a limitation in the knowledge of the agricultural biotechnological potential of microorganisms present in these islands. This study aimed to determine the capacity of Bacillus velezensis C3-3 and Cytobacillus sp. T106 isolates from resource islands to promote plant growth and control the phytopathogen Rhizoctonia solani. The bacteria were sequenced, and both grew at 50 °C, resisted 5% NaCl, withstood UV exposure, and grew in extreme pH conditions. Sixty-six genes in C3-3 and 71 in T106 were identified associated with plant growth promotion, and C3-3 was shown to promote leaf growth in lettuce plants. This promotional effect was associated with the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), phosphorus solubilization, and the presence of genes related to the assimilation of rhizosphere exudates. Both strains inhibited R. solani through the production of volatile compounds and antagonism. Forty-five and 40 of these genes in C3-3 and T106, respectively, were associated with the production of proteases, lipases, siderophores, antimicrobial compounds, degradation enzymes, and secretion systems. Notably, Cytobacillus sp. has not been previously reported as a biocontrol agent. This work contributes to the evidence of the biotechnological potential of semi-arid region bacteria, offering prospects for improving agricultural production in areas with limiting conditions.

Industrial and Pharmaceutical Applications of Microbial Diversity of Hypersaline Ecology from Lonar Soda Crater.

The unidentified geochemical and physiochemical characteristics of Soda Lakes across the globe make it a novel reservoir and bring attention to scientific civic for its conceivable industrial and pharmaceutical applications. In India, in the Maharashtra state, Lonar Lake is a naturally created Soda Lake by a meteorite impact. Phylogenetic data from this lake explored a diverse array of microorganisms like haloalkaliphilic bacteria and Archaea. Previously reported studies postulated the major microbial communities present in this lake ecosystem are Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria. Furthermore, it also contains Bacteroidetes, Nitrospirae, and Verrucomicrobia. This lake is also rich in phytoplankton, with the predominant presence of the Spirulina plantensis. Unique microbial strains from Lonar Lake ecosystems have fascinated consideration as a source of biological molecules with medicinal, industrial, and biotechnological potential. Recent literature revealed the isolation of antibioticproducing bacteria and alkaline proteases-producing alkaliphilic bacterium, as well as novel species of rare methylotrophs, other bacterial strains involved in producing vital enzymes, and unique actinomycetes are also reported. It indicates that the novel bacterial assemblage not reached hitherto may exist in this modified and unique ecology. This comprehensive review provides information about microbial diversity and its industrial and pharmaceutical interests that exist in Lonar Lake, which could be the future source of bioactive enzymes, biosurfactants, and biofuel and also useful in bioremediation. Furthermore, the novel species of microorganisms isolated from Lonar Lake have applications in the biosynthesis of medicines like antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, anti-inflammatory agents, and precursors for synthesising valuable products. Data consolidated in the present review will cater to the needs of emerging industrial sectors for their commercial and therapeutic applications.

The genus Eutreptiella (Euglenophyceae/Euglenozoa) across its global distribution range.

The genus Eutreptiella (Euglenophyceae/Euglenozoa) comprises unicellular organisms known for their photosynthetic capacity and significant role in marine ecosystems. This review highlights the taxonomic, ecological, and biotechnological characteristics of Eutreptiella species, emphasizing their morphological and genomic adaptations. Eutreptiella species exhibit high phenotypic plasticity, enabling adaptation to various environmental conditions, from nutrient-rich waters to high-salinity conditions. They play a crucial role in primary production and nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems. Genetic and transcriptomic studies have revealed their complex regulatory mechanisms and potential for biofuel and nutraceutical production. Eutreptiella blooms significantly impact local ecosystems, influencing nutrient availability and community dynamics. Additionally, interactions with associated bacteria enhance their growth and metabolic capabilities. The genus shows substantial genetic variability, suggesting potential misidentifications or a polyphyletic nature. Further comprehensive studies are needed to clarify their taxonomy and evolutionary relationships. Understanding and managing Eutreptiella populations is essential to leverage their biotechnological potential and ensure the health of marine ecosystems.