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Microbial production of primary metabolites

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Abstract

Microbial production of primary metabolites contributes significantly to the quality of life. Through fermentation, microorganisms growing on inexpensive carbon sources can produce valuable products such as amino acids, nucleotides, organic acids, and vitamins which can be added to food to enhance its flavor or increase its nutritive value. The contribution of microorganisms will go well beyond the food industry with the renewed interest in solvent fermentations. Microorganisms have the potential to provide many petroleum-derived products as well as the ethanol necessary for liquid fuel. The role of primary metabolites and the microbes which produce them will certainly increase in importance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Arnold L. Demain

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  1. Arnold L. Demain
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Demain, A.L. Microbial production of primary metabolites. Naturwissenschaften 67, 582–587 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396537

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396537

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