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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Published on: December 30, 2021

Towards lactic acid bacteria-based biorefineries.

Roberto Mazzoli¹, Francesca Bosco², Itzhak Mizrahi³

¹Laboratory of Biochemistry: Proteomics and Metabolic Engineering of Prokaryotes, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.

Biotechnology Advances

|August 5, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are promising for biorefineries, converting biomass into biofuels and valuable products like biodegradable plastics. Research explores enhancing LAB strains for efficient fermentation of low-cost feedstocks.

Keywords:

Bacteriocins Butanol Cellulose Ethanol GABA Mannitol Metabolic engineering Polyhydroxyalkanoates Polylactide

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The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective

The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective

Published on: June 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Industrial biotechnology
Microbial fermentation
Sustainable chemistry

Background:

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are established industrial microorganisms used in food fermentation, biocontrol, and probiotics.
LAB possess metabolic capabilities suitable for bioconversion of diverse biomass into valuable chemicals and biofuels.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of current and future industrial applications of LAB in biorefineries.
To discuss strategies for enhancing LAB metabolic capacity for utilizing cheaper biomass feedstocks.

Main Methods:

Literature review of industrial applications and biorefinery potential of LAB.
Analysis of LAB fermentation products, including lactic acid, biofuels, and biopolymers.
Exploration of strain development strategies for improved substrate utilization.

Main Results:

LAB can produce a wide array of high-value products, including lactic acid for biodegradable plastics (polylactides), biofuels (ethanol, butanol), exopolysaccharides, and nutraceuticals.
LAB biomass itself can be a valuable product due to its probiotic properties.
Developing LAB with broader substrate metabolic capacity is key for cost-effective biomass conversion.

Conclusions:

Lactic acid bacteria represent a versatile platform for future biorefineries, enabling sustainable production of chemicals and biofuels from plant biomass and waste streams.
Further research into strain engineering and process optimization is crucial for maximizing LAB's contribution to a circular bioeconomy.