Osmophile

Osmophilic organisms are microorganisms adapted to environments with high osmotic pressures, such as high sugar concentrations. Osmophiles are similar to halophilic (salt-loving) organisms because a critical aspect of both types of environment is their low water activity, a_W. High sugar concentrations represent a growth-limiting factor for many microorganisms, yet osmophiles protect themselves against this high osmotic pressure by the synthesis of osmoprotectants such as alcohols and amino acids. Many osmophilic microorganisms are from the yeast lineage of fungi, however a variety of bacteria are also osmophilic.