BIOTECHNOLOGY - TRENDS IN THE '80s

Abstract

There are several fermentation processes with old traditions, but with the development of petrochemical industry microbial production of some basic chemicals had to be given up. Today fermentation is often limited to the production of more complicated chemicals, and of specialities such as fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food additives and enzymes. A reversal of this situation may however be predicted. Against the background of rapid rise in petrochemicals costs and of restricted availability of petrochemical feedstocks microbially produced solvents and bulk chemicals will become again more competitive. In this future trend the powerful capabilities of modern gene techniques to improve industrial strains, as well as the increasing availability of microbial enzymes as catalysts may be of the greatest importance. The use of renewable resources, especially of lignocellulosics for the production of solvents and of convenient energy carriers will by no means solve our energy problems, but biotechnology of the ‘80s could be able to contribute with a few alternatives amongst several others.