Improvement of microbial strains and fermentation processes

Improvement of microbial strains for the overproduction of industrial produ cts has been the hallmark of all commercial fermentation processes. Convent ionally, strain improvement has been achieved through mutation, selection, or genetic recombination. Overproduction of primary or secondary metabolite s is a complex process, and successful development of improved strains requ ires a knowledge of physiology, pathway regulation and control, and the des ign of creative screening procedures. In addition, it requires mastery of t he fermentation process for each new strain, as well as sound engineering k now-how for media-optimization and the fine-tuning of process conditions. T his review focuses on the various options that may be employed to improve m icrobial strains and addresses the complex problems of screening, the tools and technology behind the selection of targeted organisms, and the importa nce of process optimization. Furthermore, this review discusses new and eme rging technologies and designing optimized media for tracking mutants with enhanced productivity or other desired attributes.