Chapter 8 - Bacterial and Yeast Cultures—Process Characteristics, Products, and Applications

Abstract

This chapter reviews bacterial and yeast cultures, their fermentation products and process characteristics, and challenges in large-scale fermentation for production of industrial bio-based products from renewable resources. It describes several factors, such as cell characteristics, cell culture and fermentation processes, determining a successful and economical production. Bacteria and yeast transform sugars from renewable resources into a variety of value-added chemicals, solvents, and fuels as alternatives to petroleum-based chemicals. Bacterial and yeast fermentations have provided sustainable, cost-competitive, and biocompatible products from renewable resources. Scientists have engineered bacterial genes to improve the production of value-added substances, such as fine chemicals, biodegradable plastics, bio-fuels, and vitamins. The difficulties in converting biomass to desired products have been ameliorated by genetic manipulation. Metabolic engineering has been applied to improve and change the existing metabolic activities of several bacteria and yeasts for the production of industrial chemicals. These tools have enhanced utilization of biomass and reduced the cost of bioprocesses. The chapter lists some important fermentation products, including alcohols, biofuels, bio-polymers, bio-surfactants, specialty chemicals, materials, polysaccharides, enzymes, and vitamins.