Preface

This Edited Volume is a collection of reviewed and relevant research chapters, concerning the developments within the Growing and Handling of Bacterial Cultures. The book includes scholarly contributions by various authors and edited by a group of experts pertinent to Life Sciences. Each contribution comes as a separate chapter complete in itself but directly related to the book's topics and objectives.

The book includes chapters dealing with the topics: Geobacillus Bacteria - Potential Commercial Applications in Industry, Bioremediation, and Bioenergy Production, Growing and Handling of Bacterial Cultures within a Shared Core Facility for Integrated Structural Biology Program, Carbapenemases, Design and Operation of Fixed-Bed Bioreactors for Immobilized Bacterial Culture, What Is Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) and Its Applicability in Endotoxin Quantification of Pharma Products, The War between Bacteria and Bacteriophages, and Mycelium Differentiation and Development of Streptomyces in Liquid Nonsporulating Cultures: Programmed Cell Death, Differentiation, and Lysis Condition Secondary Metabolite Production.

The target audience comprises scholars and specialists in the field.

**IntechOpen**

**1**

**Chapter 1**

**Abstract**

biodiesel, and biogas.

energy efficiency

**1. Introduction**

sources [1].

*Geobacillus* Bacteria: Potential

Industry, Bioremediation, and

*Galina Novik, Victoria Savich and Olga Meerovskaya*

The genus *Geobacillus* is represented by obligately thermophilic bacteria able to grow in the temperature range of 35–75°C. They are modest bacteria isolated from various sources on routine media such as nutrient agar. Originally classified as representatives of *Bacillus*, the species of *Geobacillus* were established in 2001 as a new genus. However, sequence similarity between all species indicates that at least some species need to be reclassified at the genus level. In addition to 16S rRNA, housekeeping genes, 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer, and repetitive sequences can be used in classification and identification of thermophilic bacteria. The ability to survive and grow at high temperatures as well as utilization and synthesis of a wide range of compounds makes these bacteria and their products attractive for use in various spheres: food, paper, biotechnology industries, medicine, bioremediation, etc. A broad spectrum of applications arouses increased interest in the study of physiological and biochemical characteristics and triggers emergence of new usage areas for *Geobacillus*, such as bioenergy. The growing demand for energy leads to the development of alternative technologic options. *Geobacillus* species demonstrated the ability to generate or enhance productivity of important sources of bioenergy such as ethanol, isobutanol, 2,3-butanediol,

**Keywords:** *Geobacillus* bacteria, biotechnology industry, production of thermostable

The *Geobacillus* species are Gram-positive, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped cells with the temperature range for growth 35–75°C (optimum at 55–65°C) (**Figure 1**). Neutrophilic bacteria multiply at pH 6.0–8.5, with optimal pH values 6.2–7.5. Most species are modest bacteria able to develop without growth factors or vitamins and to utilize n-alkanes as carbon and energy

As obligate thermophiles, *Geobacillus* might have been expected to be found only in the warmest regions of the planet, such as equatorial deserts or naturally

enzymes, food enzyme applications, bioenergy, biogas, technologies,

Commercial Applications in

Bioenergy Production
