Adaptation of Halophilic/Halotolerant Microorganisms and Their Applications, Volume II

With the success of the previous edition, we are delighted to launch the second edition of this Research Topic. Halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms are uniquely adapted to thrive in high-salt environments such as saline soils, deserts, salt lakes, and certain food products. Their adaptations to extreme conditionsgarnered significant interest across various fields, including agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology. Recent advancements in the isolation and taxonomic characterization of these microorganisms, along with studies on their metabolic capabilities and the compounds they produce, have greatly expanded our understanding of their diversity and resilience.

As the global population continues to grow, the increasing salinization of soils poses a serious threat to food security. Thus, strategies to overcome salinity-induced agricultural problems are of vital importance. Halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms offer promising solutions by enhancing plant growth in saline environments. These microorganisms produce plant-active compounds (indole-3-acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate–deaminase, exopolysaccharides), fix atmospheric nitrogen and solubilize plant nutrients such as phosphate.

Halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms also hold potential in various biotechnological applications. Their enzymes, including lipases, proteases, esterases, nucleases, and hydrolases, demonstrate activity across a broad range of pH, salt, and temperature conditions. This versatility makes them ideal for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, biofuel production, and the bioremediation of wastewater and contaminated soils.

The antioxidants produced by these microorganisms have applications in biomedicine and the food industry, while their compatible solutes are valuable in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. These solutes not only mitigate desiccation damage and protect proteins under extreme conditions (such as high or low temperatures and oxidative stress), but also regulate gene expression in cells, such as heat shock proteins in keratinocytes.

This Research Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research, Mini-Review, Review, and Perspective articles. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Isolation and characterization of halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms;

• Molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance;

• Application of halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms in agriculture;

• Enzymes from halophilic/halotolerant microorganisms and their roles in food industry, biofuel production, and bioremediation;

• Production and detailed analysis of compatible solutes by halophilic/halotolerant microorganisms.

Keywords: Halophilic Microorganisms, Halotolerant Microorganisms, High Salt Adaptation, Halophiles in Agriculture, Salt-Tolerant Bacteria, Saline Environment, Salt Stress Tolerance, Saline Soils

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.