This book presents the latest findings on amino acid fermentation and reviews the 50-year history of their development. The book is divided into four parts, the first of which presents a review of amino acid fermentation, past and present. The second part highlights selected examples of amino acid fermentation in more detail, while the third focuses on recent advanced technologies. The last part introduces readers to several topics for future research directions in amino acid production systems. A new field, “amino acid fermentation”, was created by the progress of academic research and industrial development. In 1908, the Japanese researcher Kikunae Ikeda discovered glutamate as an Umami substance. Then a new seasoning, MSG (monosodium glutamate), was commercialized. Although glutamate was extracted from the hydro-lysate of wheat or soybean in the early days, a new production method was subsequently invented – “fermentation” – in which glutamate is produced from sugars such as glucose by a certain bacterium called Corynebacterium. The topic of this volume is particularly connected in a significant way with biochemical, biotechnological, and microbial fields. Both professionals in industry and an academic audience will understand the importance of this volume.

This volume deals with "Microbial Production of L-Amino Acids" and presents five comprehensive, expert and actual review articles on the modern production of Amino Acids by application of biotechnologically optimized microorganisms. This includes not only the modern techniques of enzyme, metabolic and transport engineering but also sophisticated analytical methods like metabolic flux analysis and subsequent pathway modeling. A general review about industrial processes of Amino Acid production provides a comprehensive overview about recent strain development as well as fermentation technologies. It was our special interest to focus the other articles on the most important and best selling amino acids on the world market i.e. L-Glutamate, L-Lysine and L-Threonine. The authors of this special volume have contributed significantly to the progress of Amino Acid biotechnology in the last decades and earn our special gratitude and admiration for their expert review articles.

Systems Metabolic Engineering is changing the way microbial cell factories are designed and optimized for industrial production. Integrating systems biology and biotechnology with new concepts from synthetic biology enables the global analysis and engineering of microorganisms and bioprocesses at super efficiency and versatility otherwise not accessible. Without doubt, systems metabolic engineering is a major driver towards bio-based production of chemicals, materials and fuels from renewables and thus one of the core technologies of global green growth. In this book, Christoph Wittmann and Sang-Yup Lee have assembled the world leaders on systems metabolic engineering and cover the full story – from genomes and networks via discovery and design to industrial implementation practises. This book is a comprehensive resource for students and researchers from academia and industry interested in systems metabolic engineering. It provides us with the fundaments to targeted engineering of microbial cells for sustainable bio-production and stimulates those who are interested to enter this exiting research field.

With emphasis on recent advances, this book describes the microbial method of amino acid production: the breeding of amino acid-producing microorganisms, the direct fermentation method, the precursor addition method, the enzymatic method, and biochemical engineering aspects. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Corynebacterium glutamicum was discovered in Japan in 1956 as a natural glutamate producer. Its “microbial factory” qualities, such as its physiological plasticity and robust catalytic functionalities, have since facilitated the development of efficient production processes for amino acids, nucleotides and vitamins. This monograph illustrates how the information gleaned from complete genome sequencing allows the rational engineering of the entire cellular metabolism and how systems biology permits the further optimization of C. glutamicum as a biocatalyst. Aspects of gene regulation, metabolic pathways, sugar uptake, protein secretion, cell division and biorefinery applications highlight the enormous biotechnological and biorefinery potential.

This book presents the current knowledge of fundamental as well as applied microbiology of amino acids. Coverage details the amino acid biosynthetic pathways, their genetic and biochemical regulation, transport of amino acids and genomics of producing microorganisms. The book also examines the metabolic engineering of microorganisms for the biotechnological production of amino acids for use as pharmaceuticals and as food and feed additives.

The nutritional quality of a protein depends on the proportion of its amino acids-especially the essential amino acids-their physio logical availability, and the specific requirements of the consumer. Availability varies and depends on protein source, interaction with other dietary components, and the consumer's age and physiological state. In many foods, especially those from plants, low levels of various essential amino acids limits their nutritive value. This is particularly important for cereals (which may be inadequate in the essential amino acids isoleucine, lysine, threonine, and tryto phan) and legumes (which are often poor sources of methionine). Moreover, these commodities are principle sources of protein for much of the earth's rapidly growing population. At the current annual growth rate of about 2 percent, the world population of about 4 billion will increase to 6.5 billion by the year 2000 and to 17 billion by the year 2050. Five hundred milliQn people are presently estimated to suffer protein malnutrition, with about fifteen thousand daily deaths. The ratio of malnourished to adequately nourished will almost surely increase. For these reasons, and especially in view of the limited availability of high quality (largely animal) protein to feed present and future populations, improvement of food and feed quality is especially important.

Incorporates the Experiences of World-Class Researchers Microbial Biotechnology: Progress and Trends offers a theoretical take on topics that relate to microbial biotechnology. The text uses the "novel experimental experiences" of various contributors from around the world—designed as case studies—to highlight relevant topics, issues, and recent developments surrounding this highly interdisciplinary field. It factors in metagenomics and microbial biofuels production, and incorporates major contributions from a wide range of disciplines that include microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemical engineering, and bioprocess engineering. In addition, it also provides a variety of photos, diagrams, and tables to help illustrate the material. The book consists of 15 chapters and contains subject matter that addresses: Microbial biotechnology from its historical roots to its different processes Some of the new developments in upstream processes Solid-state fermentation as an interesting field in modern fermentation processes Recent developments in the production of valuable microbial products such as biofuels, organic acids, amino acids, probiotics, healthcare products, and edible biomass Important microbial activities such as biofertilizer, biocontrol, biodegradation, and bioremediation Students, scientists, and researchers can benefit from Microbial Biotechnology: Progress and Trends, a resource that addresses biotechnology, applied microbiology, bioprocess/fermentation technology, healthcare/pharmaceutical products, food innovations/food processing, plant agriculture/crop improvement, energy and environment management, and all disciplines related to microbial biotechnology.

Bacteria, yeast, fungi and microalgae can act as producers (or catalysts for the production) of food ingredients, enzymes and nutraceuticals. With the current trend towards the use of natural ingredients in foods, there is renewed interest in microbial flavours and colours, food bioprocessing using enzymes and food biopreservation using bacteriocins. Microbial production of substances such as organic acids and hydrocolloids also remains an important and fast-changing area of research. Microbial production of food ingredients, enzymes and nutraceuticals provides a comprehensive overview of microbial production of food ingredients, enzymes and nutraceuticals.Part one reviews developments in the metabolic engineering of industrial microorganisms and advances in fermentation technology in the production of fungi, yeasts, enzymes and nutraceuticals. Part two discusses the production and application in food processing of substances such as carotenoids, flavonoids and terponoids, enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics, bacteriocins, microbial polysaccharides, polyols and polyunsaturated fatty acids.Microbial production of food ingredients, enzymes and nutraceuticals is an invaluable guide for professionals in the fermentation industry as well as researchers and practitioners in the areas of biotechnology, microbiology, chemical engineering and food processing. - Provides a comprehensive overview of microbial flavours and colours, food bioprocessing using enzymes and food biopreservation using bacteriocins - Begins with a review of key areas of systems biology and metabolic engineering, including methods and developments for filamentous fungi - Analyses the use of microorganisms for the production of natural molecules for use in foods, including microbial production of food flavours and carotenoids

Microorganisms have simultaneously served and assaulted man throughout history. Man is totally dependent on some microbes for life processes, while remaining subject to the destructive capacities of others in diseases not yet conquered.Microbes can be marshaled to aid in solving many important global problems including food shortages, resource recovery and reuse, energy shortages, and pollution. Microbiology is particularly suited to make important contributions to human needs in developing countries, yet it has received comparatively little attention. The range of possible applications covers uses by individuals and industries in rural settings, villages, and cities.This book covers examples of microbial processes that may be useful in developing countries. Although many of these processes may not have a direct and immediate use, their scope and diversity should serve to indicate the strong potential for microbial applications.