General Information: This hyperthermophilic organism was first isolated from a black smoker in the bay near Naples, Italy in 1986. This organism, like other Thermotoga, produces a vast quantity of hydrogen in batch culture. It is being considered for use in projects to utilize waste carboydrates for the production of hydrogen gas for industrial purposes. A number of thermostable enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase are also produced by this bacterium and may be of use for industrial purposes.