Mikroaerofiilen

Mikroaerofiilen refers to microorganisms that require a low concentration of oxygen for growth. Unlike aerobic organisms that thrive in the presence of atmospheric oxygen, or anaerobic organisms that are inhibited by it, microaerophiles need oxygen but are sensitive to high levels. This typically means they grow best in environments with 2-10% oxygen, which is significantly lower than the approximately 20% oxygen found in Earth's atmosphere.

These organisms have evolved specialized metabolic pathways to utilize oxygen efficiently at these reduced concentrations. Their oxygen requirement can be due to several factors. Some possess enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase, which protect them from the toxic byproducts of oxygen metabolism, but these enzymes may be less effective at high oxygen levels. In other cases, the enzymes involved in their respiration pathways may be more sensitive to oxygen damage, or they may simply have a lower affinity for oxygen, requiring it to be present at lower partial pressures.

Microaerophiles can be found in a variety of natural habitats where oxygen levels are naturally lower than atmospheric. Examples include the soil, sediments at the bottom of lakes and oceans, and the digestive tracts of animals. Some important pathogens are microaerophilic, such as Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach ulcers, and Campylobacter jejuni, a common cause of foodborne illness. Studying these organisms often requires specialized laboratory equipment, such as incubation chambers that can precisely control gas mixtures to create the required low-oxygen environment.