Open AccessCritical limitations in biological production of chemicals: process or genetic solutions?
Author(s) -
Bailey James E.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.1995.tb00174.x
Subject(s) - biochemical engineering , bioreactor , process (computing) , production (economics) , substrate (aquarium) , process engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , biology , engineering , ecology , botany , macroeconomics , economics , operating system
Production of bulk chemicals by biological processes is presently limited by failure of contemporary biological and bioreactor technology to deliver high product concentrations in high space‐time yields in fluids of sufficiently low water content for subsequent down‐stream processing operations. Limitations in the bioreactor portion of the process can arise due to failure to process sufficient substrate, substrate inhibition, inadequate rates or yields, and product inhibition. Various process approaches for addressing many of these limitations have been demonstrated or conceptualized. Less developed but potentially effective are genetic strategies addressing these process limitations. Ideally, the most effective combination of genetic and process approaches should be integrated in a synergistic fashion to maximize the economic potential of biological production of chemicals.