The Variety and Inscrutability of Polar Environments as a Resource of Biotechnologically Relevant Molecules

The application of an ever-increasing number of methodological approaches and tools ispositively contributing to the development and yield of bioprospecting procedures. In this context,cold-adapted bacteria from polar environments are becoming more and more intriguing asvaluable sources of novel biomolecules, with peculiar properties to be exploited in a number ofbiotechnological fields. This review aims at highlighting the biotechnological potentialities ofbacteria from Arctic and Antarctic habitats, both biotic and abiotic. In addition to cold-enzymes,which have been intensively analysed, relevance is given to recent advances in the search for lessinvestigated biomolecules, such as biosurfactants, exopolysaccharides and antibiotics.