Solid-state fermentation of agricultural residues for the production of antibiotics

Abstract

The increasing demand in pharmaceutical products for human welfare has encouraged remarkable attempts towards the development of biotechnological processes for the production of antibiotics using readily available agricultural residues. Immense availability and cost-effectiveness of agricultural residues compared to sugars offer greater advantages in commercial usage. However, these constituents are currently underutilised. Productions of antibiotics have been carried out by both solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) using wide range of microorganisms. The advancement in the field of SSF and its advantage over SmF has opened its application for production of antibiotics utilising low carbon and energy sources. This chapter gives an insight on various approaches that are being carried out for antibiotic production using SSF. The biotechnological potential of lignocellulosic biomass, factors affecting the production and yield of antibiotics from specific microorganisms are accounted.