Mikroaerofili

Mikroaerofili refers to microorganisms that thrive in environments with low oxygen concentrations, typically between 2% and 10% oxygen, and are often poisoned by higher levels of atmospheric oxygen. This is distinct from obligate aerobes, which require high oxygen levels, and facultative anaerobes, which can grow with or without oxygen. Mikroaerophiles are obligate in their requirement for a reduced oxygen tension.

These organisms often possess enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase, but these may be less efficient or present in lower quantities than in strict aerobes, making them susceptible to the toxic byproducts of oxygen metabolism at higher concentrations. Their energy generation pathways can vary, but many utilize respiration, similar to aerobic organisms, albeit under these specific low-oxygen conditions.

Examples of mikroaerophilic bacteria include Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium commonly associated with stomach ulcers, and Campylobacter jejuni, a frequent cause of foodborne illness. Many are found in natural environments where oxygen levels are naturally lower, such as sediments, soil, or the digestive tracts of animals. Their cultivation in laboratory settings requires specialized gas mixtures to replicate these low-oxygen conditions, often achieved using gas packs or incubation chambers. Understanding their oxygen requirements is crucial for isolating and studying these microbes, as well as for understanding their role in various ecosystems and diseases.