FERMENTATION

Fermentation is the term used by microbiologists to describe any process for the production of a product by means of the mass culture of a microorganism. The product can either be: 1. The cell itself: referred to as biomass production. 2. A microorganisms own metabolite: referred to as a product from a natural or genetically improved strain. See Table 1. 3. A microorganisms foreign product: referred to as a product from recombinant DNA technology or genetically engineered strain, i.e. recombinant strain. Amino acids Lipids Antibacterial agents Nucleotides and precursors Antifungal agents Organic synthesis intermediates Antiprotozoal agents Pharmaceutical significant compounds Carbohydrates Plant growth factors SOME FERMENTATION DERIVED PRODUCTS ARE: Dyes and cosmetics Steroids Enzymes Toxins Foods Vitamins and coenzymes Table 1. Products produced by microbial activity Human therapeutics Enzymes Amino acids