About this Research Topic

Background

The use of microbial systems to produce various biomolecules at an industrial scale is the most common method available as it is cost-effective and easy to produce. Currently, high yield strains isolated naturally or modified genetically for yield improvements and cost effectiveness are becoming increasingly popular. A number of strategies for strain improvement have been reported by scientists and researchers that have been used for production at an industrial scale.

Traditionally, microbial sources are isolated from natural samples like air, water, and soil for screening for desirable traits like high yield, reduction in production time, thermo- tolerance, halo-tolerance, product-resistance, and improvement of metabolic pathways. However, in recent times high throughput screening, metagenomics and genetically modified microbial strains are being used for potential microbial strains which could be used for industrial scale production of food related molecules such as bioactive compounds (peptides and oligosaccharides), nutraceuticals, anti-microbial substances for food preservation, amongst others. Other molecules which have disease preventing abilities and have potential for application within pharma sectors have also been reported. Microbiological systems both natural and synthetic have also been reported for all generation of biofuels and also biopesticides for pest damaging Agri-crops.

The goal of this Research Topic is to get insight into various aspects of Biocatalysts in the industry. Identification of bottlenecks in upscaling the desired product production and solving them through various industrial microbiological and biotechnological techniques is the main motive. Comparative analysis of existing and upcoming techniques related to microbial processes and their economics is of special importance as it could be of great value to emerging scientists, researchers, and students as well. A detailed comparative analysis of this topic in a single volume will help to review various approaches and available options for researchers and scientists along with pros and cons.

Submissions describing original research for application in these fields are welcome. Research can include isolation of any novel strains either by classical microbial methods, high throughput screening, functional metagenomics screening or manual screening. It may also include genetic modification of strains for yield improvement and incorporating desirable traits for enhancing bio-process efficiency and overall process economics.

Submissions on lesser-known areas of research included in the following list are also welcomed:

• Anti-microbial polymers derived from microbial sources
• Use of microbial cocultures for converting mixed substrates to valuable bio products
• Industrial aspects of culture independent methods.
• Research related to production of high value chemicals from microbes’ available in world culture collections
• Nanomaterial-based technologies for development and use to improving the microbial cell factories productivity
• Synthetic microbial consortia for biochemical production
• Model and non- model microbial chassis for complex secondary metabolites using state-of-the-art technology
• Microbial engineering for single cell protein production
• Optogenetic tools for microbial synthetic biology and other related areas

Please note that all submissions should have a strong experimental focus and by hypothesis driven, and also within the scope of the Microbiotechnology section.

Keywords: microbial, food, pharma, bio-polymer, functional, agriculture, nutraceuticals, biomolecules

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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