Application of quorum sensing systems in production of green fuels

Abstract

Microorganisms have been used in diverse areas of biotechnology. The focus in recent times has been on exploiting the microbial communication for biofuel production. This communication known as Quorum sensing (QS) helps bacteria to sense their environments and enable them to survive in diverse habitats. QS based communication works through signal molecules. Exploiting the communication signals for the production of energy can help overcome the increasing energy crisis. A number of areas in energy sector including bio-hydrogen, bio-diesel, bio-ethanol and bio-electricity production have started using QS for the improving the efficiency of theses bioprocesses. Here, we present recent advances in improving the efficiency of bioenergy production process by exploiting bacterial cell-cell communication.