The production of biopolymers from renewable carbon sources is a crucial step towards a circular economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the high cost of biopolymer production and the lack of suitable industrial processes hinder their widespread adoption. This special issue highlights the ongoing efforts to optimize biopolymer production through microbial fermentation, gene engineering, and process optimization.
Studies presented in this issue focus on the synthesis of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs), poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA), epothilone, and other biopolymers. Researchers used various strategies to improve biopolymer production, including altering regulatory circuits, optimizing gene expression, and modifying fermentation conditions.
The issue also highlights the importance of downstream processing and novel strategies for releasing intracellular biopolymers. Synthetic bacterial consortia are presented as a sustainable approach to produce PHAs from low-cost feedstocks. The use of CO2 as a carbon source and the production of alginate, a biopolymer with applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries, are also discussed.
Overall, this special issue demonstrates the ongoing efforts to develop cost-effective biopolymer production processes and highlights the potential of microbial biotechnology to contribute to a more sustainable future.