Bacterial cells, enzyme preparations, metabolites, and biotransformation products - inventory of 4 major fermentation products
Fermentation products can be classified into bacterial products, enzyme products, metabolic products, and biotransformation products based on their sources and functions.
Each category has its unique attributes and application areas, and they play an important role in driving technological progress and improving human life.
Bacterial products
As the cornerstone of food processing, it provides necessary microbial activity for the production of daily foods such as bread and beer.
Enzyme based products
With its efficient and specific catalytic properties, it has optimized multiple processes from food processing to pharmaceutical production.
Metabolite products
Both primary and secondary metabolites provide abundant nutritional and therapeutic resources for humans.
Biological conversion products provide a greener and more sustainable alternative to chemical synthesis due to their environmental friendliness and high efficiency.
1. Bacterial products
The core of bacterial products is the bacterial cells themselves, which play an important role in the production process of foods such as bread and beer
Microbial cells: As food for humans or animals, they provide protein and other nutrients, sometimes referred to as single-cell proteins or bacterial proteins.
Probiotics: These microorganisms help regulate and maintain the health of the human gut, which is beneficial for the digestive system.
2. Enzyme based products
Enzyme based products are the purification and processing forms of biocatalysts. Enzyme based products are widely used in industries such as food, textiles, feed, detergents, papermaking, leather, and pharmaceuticals. Has the following characteristics:
High catalytic efficiency: Enzymes can significantly increase the speed of chemical reactions.
Specificity: Each enzyme typically catalyzes only one specific chemical reaction.
Mild operating conditions: Enzymes work at relatively low temperatures and pressures, reducing their impact on the environment.
3. Metabolite products
Metabolite products are divided into primary and secondary metabolites:
Primary metabolites: produced during the logarithmic growth phase of microorganisms, they are essential substances for cell growth and maintenance of life activities, including amino acids, nucleotides, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, etc.
Secondary metabolites: produced after a certain stage of microbial growth, with complex chemical structures, may not have significant physiological functions for the microorganism.
This type of product includes antibiotics, toxins, hormones, pigments, etc. The secondary metabolites produced by different types of microorganisms vary.
4. Biological conversion products
Biological transformation products involve the process of microbial cells or enzymes produced by them converting one compound into another:
Conversion reaction types: including dehydrogenation, oxidation, hydroxylation, condensation, decarboxylation, ammonification, deamination, or isomerization.
Application examples: converting ethanol into acetic acid, or producing steroids, chiral drugs, etc. through biotransformation processes.
Compared to chemical synthesis, biotransformation typically involves fewer steps, milder conditions, generates less waste and by-products, and is more environmentally friendly.
