The use of micro-organisms for L-ascorbic acid production: current status and future perspectives.
L-Ascorbic acid (L-AA) has been industrially produced for around 60 years in a primarily chemical process utilising D-glucose (D-glc) as starting material. Current world production is estimated at approximately 80,000 tonnes per annum with a worldwide market in excess of U.S. $600 million. We present a brief overview of research geared to exploiting micro-organisms for the industrial production of vitamin C, with emphasis on recent approaches using genetically engineered bacterial strains. We also discuss the potential for direct production of L-AA exploiting novel biochemical pathways with particular reference to yeast fermentations. The potential advantages of these novel approaches over current chemical and biotechnological processes are outlined.
Hancock
R D
RD
Division of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, UK.
Viola
R
R
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D001205:Ascorbic Acid