Halobacterium noricense has many applications that can benefit humans and industries including drug delivery, UV protection, and the unique characteristic of bacteriorhodopsin to be able to be isolated outside of its environment. H. noricense produces a high concentration of menaquinones (fat soluble vitamin K2) that can be used as a micelle to deliver drugs to specific places in the body. According to Nimptsch K, the presence of menaquinones can also reduce the risk of malignant cancer (Nimptsch K 2010). Fermented foods are also found to have high levels of menaquinones due to the presence of bacteria, especially in cheeses (Hojo 2007). H. noricense requires high salt concentrations to live in and is currently being explored to enhance the process of fermentation (Gontia-Mishra 2017). H. noricense is also catalase positive, meaning it can break down reactive oxygen species (ROS), like hydrogen peroxide into harmless substances such as water. Not only does it produce enzymes to protect itself against ROS, but it contains a pigment, bacteriorubin, that allows H. noricense to tolerate gamma and UV radiation. Further research into bacteriorubin can lead to bioactive compounds with anticancer characteristics. Lastly, bacteriorhodopsin (also protects cells from UV light), a light proton pump, has allowed scientists to apply it to electronics and optics. Its mechanism involves capturing light and creating a proton gradient to produce chemical energy. Some practical uses include motion detection, holographic storage, and nanotechnology (Oren 2010).
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