Publication: Exploitation of Biodiversity in Bioeconomy – Examples, Opportunities and Challenges

The Institute of Bioprocess Engineering is co-author of the publication 'Exploitation of Biodiversity in Bioeconomy – Examples, Opportunities and Challenges' in the series 'Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology'.

While bioprocesses using Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, various species of Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria and Clostridia, the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris, fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Chinese hamster ovary cells are well established, the high level of microbial diversity has not yet been exploited industrially. However, the use of alternative organisms can significantly extend the process window of bioprocesses. These extensions can include the use of alternative substrates such as CO₂, syngas or methane, unusual process conditions (e.g., temperatures, media conditions) or the use of microbial diversity itself (e.g., biofilm growth, alternative electron transport systems, unusual substrates, product excretion, surface presentation of enzymes). Bringing these hidden champions into application will enable more efficient processes with environmental and ecological benefits. Some of the most important alternative microorganisms are described and discussed in detail in this book. The aim of this introductory chapter is to provide an overview of additional organisms and cultivation strategies. Finally, it discusses the future challenges to bring the organism into technical applications.

A. Grünberger, E. Schepp, S. Lang, K.E. Schulz, D. Baron Diaz, A. Sivanesapillai, A. Diepold, C. Stolle, K. Rabe, R. Ulber, D. Holtmann; Exploitation of Biodiversity in Bioeconomy – Examples, Opportunities and Challenges; Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology (2025) in press