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The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective
Published on: June 16, 2022
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Microbial production of lactic acid
Mark A Eiteman1, Subramanian Ramalingam
1BioChemical Engineering Program, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA, eiteman@engr.uga.edu.
Biotechnology Letters
|January 22, 2015
Summary
Microbial production of lactic acid (LA) offers high optical purity and yield, crucial for poly(lactic acid) polymers. Optimizing LA formation involves understanding carbohydrate metabolism and by-product pathways for cost-effective industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Industrial Microbiology
- Biochemical Engineering
Background:
- Lactic acid (LA) is a key commodity chemical with diverse applications.
- Microbial LA production is competitive with chemical synthesis due to high optical purity and yield.
- Cost-effective production necessitates using inexpensive carbon substrates from agricultural or waste resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand and engineer carbohydrate metabolism pathways for optimal lactic acid formation.
- To identify and manage by-product pathways impacting lactic acid yield.
- To develop microbial strains with enhanced tolerance for industrial conditions (pH, temperature).
Main Methods:
- Metabolic pathway analysis of carbohydrate utilization.
- Identification and characterization of by-product formation routes.
- Strain engineering for improved lactic acid production and tolerance.
Main Results:
- Insights into competing pathways affecting lactic acid yield.
- Strategies for minimizing by-product formation.
- Development of microbial strains with improved industrial performance.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing microbial lactic acid production requires a holistic approach to metabolic engineering.
- Understanding competing pathways and by-product formation is critical for high yield.
- Strain improvement for industrial conditions is key to commercial viability.
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