About this Research Topic
The field of microbial-based inoculants for agriculture is gaining significant attention as the world moves towards more sustainable methods of increasing crop yields and protection. The market for agricultural biological agents, including biostimulants, biopesticides, and biofertilizers, is expanding rapidly, with microbial-based products occupying a crucial niche. These products often contain non-spore-forming strains whose efficacy is closely linked to the viability and stability of microbial cells over several months. Ensuring this stability involves various factors in the industrial production process, which differ for each formulation. Despite extensive research, only a small percentage of prototype formulations are commercialized, as many do not consider the processes essential for creating a market-ready product. Consequently, the community benefits little from the ongoing research due to issues like economic viability and product stability.
This research topic aims to bring together scientific knowledge on the enhancement, production, and stabilization of microbial-based products used in sustainable agriculture. The goal is to stimulate research that directs more experiments towards the formulation of products ready for industrialization. Specific questions to be addressed include the development of novel bioprocesses for producing inoculants, the use of new materials to ensure the stability and viability of microbial cells, and the incorporation of preservative agents in microbial-based formulations. By addressing these questions, the research aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial application, ensuring that more effective and stable products reach the market.
To gather further insights into the production and improvement of commercial formulations of microbial-based inoculants, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Novel bioprocesses to produce inoculants
- Use of novel materials in bioprocesses to produce stable viable cell inoculants
- Use of preservative agents in microbial-based formulations
- Description of novel bioprocess approaches for high-value product production
- Microorganisms valid in the sustainable use of food waste management
This research topic aims to bring together scientific knowledge on the enhancement, production, and stabilization of microbial-based products used in sustainable agriculture. The goal is to stimulate research that directs more experiments towards the formulation of products ready for industrialization. Specific questions to be addressed include the development of novel bioprocesses for producing inoculants, the use of new materials to ensure the stability and viability of microbial cells, and the incorporation of preservative agents in microbial-based formulations. By addressing these questions, the research aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial application, ensuring that more effective and stable products reach the market.
To gather further insights into the production and improvement of commercial formulations of microbial-based inoculants, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Novel bioprocesses to produce inoculants
- Use of novel materials in bioprocesses to produce stable viable cell inoculants
- Use of preservative agents in microbial-based formulations
- Description of novel bioprocess approaches for high-value product production
- Microorganisms valid in the sustainable use of food waste management
Keywords: Biostimulants, Biopesticides, Fermentation, Formulations, Shelf-life
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.
