Microbial products are substances derived from microorganisms. They have diverse and widespread commercial uses, finding applications in food production, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and environmental management.
BCC Research expects the microbial product market to continue to grow in the coming years as more industries adopt sustainable and eco-friendly practices. As the demand for these products increases, so will the research and development of new and innovative microbial products, making this a fascinating and dynamic field to watch. BCC Research estimated the 2022 market to exceed $242.0 billion, and forecasts the 2027 market to approach $346.3 billion.
With advancements in technology, new methods of producing microbial products have emerged. This has led to the development of novel products with enhanced properties and applications. Below, we consider the biggest emerging technologies across the microbial products landscape.
Synthetic biology is a field of science that combines engineering principles with biology to design and construct new biological systems. This technology has revolutionized the production of microbial products by enabling the engineering of microbes for specific functions. For example, researchers have used synthetic biology to engineer microbes that produce biofuels, drugs and industrial chemicals. This technology has also been used to develop microbial sensors that can detect environmental pollutants.
CRISPR-Cas technology is a powerful gene-editing tool that has been used extensively in microbiology. This technology allows scientists to make precise edits to the DNA of microorganisms, which can be used to enhance the production of microbial products. For example, researchers have used CRISPR-Cas technology to engineer microbes that produce high yields of biofuels, as well as to develop new strains of bacteria that can break down plastic waste.
Metabolic engineering is a technology that involves the modification of metabolic pathways in microorganisms to enhance their production of specific products. This technology has been used extensively in the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals. For example, researchers have used metabolic engineering to develop microbes that produce high yields of ethanol, as well as to engineer bacteria that can produce precursors for the synthesis of antibiotics.