Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for growth and reproduction in humans and animals. It is produced by many microorganisms and is used as a feed additive in animal nutrition. The commercial production of riboflavin is typically performed through fermentation using microorganisms such as Ashbya gossypii, Candida famata, and Bacillus subtilis. These microorganisms can synthesize riboflavin from two major precursors: ribulose 5-phosphate and guanosine triphosphate.
The production of riboflavin can be optimized through the use of genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and biocatalyst conversion. This has led to the development of high-producing strains of microorganisms that can produce over 10 g/L of riboflavin. Additionally, the development of bioprocesses has improved the efficiency of riboflavin production. The world market for riboflavin production has more than doubled in the past 13 years, with the majority of production being used as a feed additive. Further research is needed to improve the understanding of riboflavin biosynthesis and to optimize production processes.