Abstract

Abstract A gram-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic, thermo-acidophilic bacterium CC2 (optimal temperature 55℃ and pH 4.0), belonging to the genus Alicyclobacillus was isolated from geothermal soil collected from “Cerro Caliente”, Deception Island, Antarctica. Owing to the harsh environmental conditions found in this territory, microorganisms are exposed to conditions that trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). They must have an effective antioxidant defense system to deal with this oxidative stress. We focused on one of the most important enzymes: superoxide dismutase, which was partially purified and characterized. This study presents the first report of a thermo-acidophilic bacterium isolated from Deception Island with a thermostable superoxide dismutase (SOD).