Activities of microorganisms and enzymes in water-restricted environments: biological activities in aqueous compartments at micron scale

Michael Hoppert; Klaus Mlejnek; Beatrix Seiffert; Frank Mayer

doi:10.1117/12.278806

11 July 1997 Activities of microorganisms and enzymes in water-restricted environments: biological activities in aqueous compartments at micron scale

Michael Hoppert, Klaus Mlejnek, Beatrix Seiffert, Frank Mayer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3111, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Microorganisms; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.278806
Event: Optical Science, Engineering and Instrumentation '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

In water-in-oil microemulsions, microdroplets of water, surrounded by a layer of surfactant molecules (reversed micelles), are dispersed in an organic solvent. Various microorganisms (unicellular algae and cyanobacteria) and isolated enzymes were dispersed in microemulsions without loss of biological activity. Each biological system needed a defined quantity of water in the microemulsion for maximum activity. Under optimum conditions, microbial enzymes for various sources (hydrogenases, dehydrogenases) exhibited, besides ten-fold increase in specific activity, a temperature optimum up to 16 degree(s)C higher as compared to aqueous solutions. These experimental findings, together with theoretical considerations, imply that water structure inside reversed micelles is very different from free water, but similar to water in narrow compartments with polar or ionic surfaces. These compartments may represent a model system for environments, where (liquid) water is not available in bulk amounts, but embedded in an anhydrous matrix.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Hoppert, Klaus Mlejnek, Beatrix Seiffert, and Frank Mayer "Activities of microorganisms and enzymes in water-restricted environments: biological activities in aqueous compartments at micron scale", Proc. SPIE 3111, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Microorganisms, (11 July 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.278806

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