Chapter 18

Microbial Conversion of Bio-Based Chemicals: Present and Future Prospects (pp. 301-328)
Authors:  (Huibin Zou, Guang Zhao and Mo Xian, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China)
Abstract:
The fast development of microbial biotechnology has enabled innovative
bioconversion processes for the production of an extensive range of bio-based chemicals
from renewable biomass. However, in order to economically and technically compete
with petroleum-based chemicals, it is essential to develop robust microbes and efficient
processing techniques that are capable of producing bio-chemicals with high performance
and low production cost. Recently, the strategies of developing microbial strains using
metabolic engineering techniques have been successfully applied to the industrial
production of several value-added chemicals. This review summarizes the key economic
factors and relative advanced biotechnologies for developing bio-based chemicals, and
gives several successful commodity examples. In addition, the review addresses the
current trends in developing value-added bioproducts, which represent the near-term
opportunities of robust microbial strains for industrial applications.