Aqueous two-phase: the system of choice for extractive fermentation

Extractive fermentation in aqueous two-phase systems is a meaningful approa ch to overcome low product yield in a conventional fermentation process, an d by proper design of the two-phase system it is possible to obtain the pro duct in a cell-free stream. The characteristics of an aqueous two-phase sys tem, various polymers used for forming an aqueous two-phase system, the phy sicochemical parameters of the aqueous two-phase system, partitioning of bi omolecules and cell mass and the effect of individual phase forming polymer s on cell growth and product formation are reviewed in this article. The va rious extractive fermentation processes are also summarised here. At the en d, the economic viability and scope of aqueous two-phase fermentation are b riefly discussed in relation to the wider application of this topic.