Microbial consortia: a critical look at microalgae co-cultures for enhanced biomanufacturing

Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2018 Aug;38(5):690-703. doi: 10.1080/07388551.2017.1390728. Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Abstract

Monocultures have been the preferred production route in the bio-industry, where contamination has been a major bottleneck. In nature, microorganisms usually exist as part of organized communities and consortia, gaining benefits from co-habitation, keeping invaders at bay. There is increasing interest in the use of co-cultures to tackle contamination issues, and simultaneously increase productivity and product diversity. The feasibility of extending the natural phenomenon of co-habitation to the biomanufacturing industry in the form of co-cultures requires careful and systematic consideration of several aspects. This article will critically examine and review current work on microbial co-cultures, with the intent of examining the concept and proposing a design pipeline that can be developed in a biomanufacturing context.

Keywords: Bioproducts; metabolites; microbial biotechnology; microbial communication; proteins.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bioengineering
  • Biotechnology*
  • Coculture Techniques*
  • Microalgae*
  • Microbial Consortia*