Enzymes generally have a range of temperatures at which they can function optimally. The lowest temperature at which an enzyme can work efficiently is typically around the freezing point of water (0°C or 32°F).

However, certain extremophilic enzymes, found in organisms adapted to extreme environments, can exhibit activity at much lower temperatures, such as below-freezing conditions. For example, some enzymes from psychrophilic organisms, which thrive in cold environments such as polar regions or deep-sea hydrothermal vents, can function optimally at temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) or even lower.

These enzymes have adaptations that allow them to maintain their structural integrity and catalytic activity under extreme cold conditions.