Open AccessBiosystems analysis and engineering of microbial consortia for industrial biotechnology
Author(s) -
Sabra Wael,
Dietz David,
Tjahjasari Donna,
Zeng AnPing
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.201000111
Subject(s) - bioprocess , biorefinery , industrial biotechnology , biochemical engineering , bioprocess engineering , engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , process (computing) , computer science , waste management , biology , biofuel , chemical engineering , operating system
Abstract The development of industrial biotechnology for an economical and ecological conversion of renewable materials into chemicals and fuels requires new strategies and concepts for bioprocessing. Biorefinery has been proposed as one of the key concepts with the aim of completely utilizing the substrate(s) and producing multiple products in one process or at one production site. In this article, we argue that microbial consortia can play an essential role to this end. To illustrate this, we first briefly describe some examples of existing industrial bioprocesses involving microbial consortia. New bioprocesses under development which make use of the advantages of microbial consortia are then introduced. Finally, we address some of the key issues and challenges for the analysis and engineering of bioprocesses involving microbial consortia from a perspective of biosystems engineering.