Mesophile

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A mesophile is an organism that grows best in moderate temperature, neither too hot nor too cold, typically between 25 and 40 °C (68 and 113 °F). The term is mainly applied to microorganisms.

The habitats of these organisms include soil, the human body, animals, etc. The optimal temperature of many pathogenic mesophiles is 37 °C (98 °F), the normal human body temperature. Mesophilic organisms have important uses in food preparation especially in cheese and yoghurt making and in beer and wine making.

Organisms that prefer cold environments are termed psychrophilic, those preferring warmer temperatures are termed thermophilic and those thriving in extremely hot environments are hyperthermophilic.

[edit] See also

• Anaerobic digestion