Mikroaerofiilisiä

Mikroaerofiilisiä refers to microorganisms that require a low concentration of oxygen for growth. This oxygen level is typically less than that found in the Earth's atmosphere, which is about 21%. Instead, they thrive in environments where oxygen levels are between 2% and 10%. These organisms cannot survive in the complete absence of oxygen, distinguishing them from obligate anaerobes, nor can they tolerate the higher oxygen concentrations found in atmospheric air, which can be toxic to them.

The requirement for low oxygen often stems from their metabolic processes. Some microaerophiles may possess enzymes that are sensitive to high oxygen levels, or they might produce toxic byproducts of oxygen metabolism that they cannot effectively neutralize when oxygen is abundant. Consequently, they are often found in specific ecological niches such as the soil, aquatic environments, or the gastrointestinal tracts of animals.

Examples of microaerophilic bacteria include Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium associated with stomach ulcers, and Campylobacter jejuni, a common cause of foodborne illness. The cultivation of these microorganisms in laboratory settings requires specialized conditions that mimic their natural microaerobic environment, often achieved using gas-generating kits or specific incubation chambers that control the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Understanding their oxygen requirements is crucial for their identification, study, and for developing strategies to control their presence in relevant contexts.