Fermentation is a process that helps break down large organic molecules via the action of microorganisms into simpler ones. Fermentation begins with glycolysis in the same way as cellular respiration, but the pyruvate does not proceed through the citric acid cycle. Two examples of typical metabolism in the fermentation process are ethanol fermentation and lactic acid fermentation.
Biologically active compounds and metabolites are typically characterized by small molecules with various functions. Metabolites can be categorized into both primary and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are considered essential to microorganisms for proper growth. Secondary metabolites do not play a role in growth, development, and reproduction, and are formed during the end or near the stationary phase of growth which is used as a part of the defense and survival system.
Metabolites obtained from the fermentative metabolism of microbes have long been studied for their application in agriculture, environment, food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Microorganisms are one of the most prolific sources among living organisms for the production of bioactive molecules. In many cases, biosynthesis using microbial fermentation represents the only feasible process for the supply of these bioactive molecules, as chemical synthesis is too complicated or expensive. Improvement of fermentation conditions, design of enhanced bioprocesses and bioreactors along with genome mining and metabolomics approaches are therefore essential to identify the genes producing these molecules, reduce production costs and achieve high-quality standards.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide high-quality original research or review articles on the impact of fermentation on the production of bioactive compounds of industrial, pharmaceutical, and agro-food significance. Notably, these active compounds useful as chemotherapeutics, fungicides, herbicides, immunosuppressants, and several other beneficial chemicals still constitute the preferential targets of screening campaigns.
Fermentation is a process that helps break down large organic molecules via the action of microorganisms into simpler ones. Fermentation begins with glycolysis in the same way as cellular respiration, but the pyruvate does not proceed through the citric acid cycle. Two examples of typical metabolism in the fermentation process are ethanol fermentation and lactic acid fermentation.
Biologically active compounds and metabolites are typically characterized by small molecules with various functions. Metabolites can be categorized into both primary and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are considered essential to microorganisms for proper growth. Secondary metabolites do not play a role in growth, development, and reproduction, and are formed during the end or near the stationary phase of growth which is used as a part of the defense and survival system.
Metabolites obtained from the fermentative metabolism of microbes have long been studied for their application in agriculture, environment, food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Microorganisms are one of the most prolific sources among living organisms for the production of bioactive molecules. In many cases, biosynthesis using microbial fermentation represents the only feasible process for the supply of these bioactive molecules, as chemical synthesis is too complicated or expensive. Improvement of fermentation conditions, design of enhanced bioprocesses and bioreactors along with genome mining and metabolomics approaches are therefore essential to identify the genes producing these molecules, reduce production costs and achieve high-quality standards.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide high-quality original research or review articles on the impact of fermentation on the production of bioactive compounds of industrial, pharmaceutical, and agro-food significance. Notably, these active compounds useful as chemotherapeutics, fungicides, herbicides, immunosuppressants, and several other beneficial chemicals still constitute the preferential targets of screening campaigns.