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Review
. 2016 Sep;9(5):564-7.
doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.12379. Epub 2016 Jul 4.

Microbial biotechnology for the synthesis of (pro)vitamins, biopigments and antioxidants: challenges and opportunities

Jose L Revuelta  1 , Ruben M Buey  1 , Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro  1 , Erick J Vandamme  2
Affiliations
Review

Microbial biotechnology for the synthesis of (pro)vitamins, biopigments and antioxidants: challenges and opportunities

Jose L Revuelta et al. Microb Biotechnol. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Vitamins and related compounds, such as provitamins, biopigments and antioxidants, belong to those few chemicals that appeal in a positive way to most people. These terms sound synonymous to vitality, good health and mental strenght, even to the layman. Everyone of us needs his/her daily intake of (pro)vitamins and antioxidants, normally provided by a balanced and varied diet. However, current food habits or preferences, food availabilities, as well as food processing, preservation or cooking methodologies and technologies, do not always assure a sufficient balanced natural daily (pro)vitamin supply to a healthy individual, and even more so for a stressed or sick human being. Today, modern society is seldom confronted with the notorious avitaminoses of the past, well known to the Western World, but they do still occur frequently in overpopulated, war-ridden, poverty- or famine-struck regions on our globe, as well as for surprisingly large population groups in developed countries.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Environmental and economic impact analysis of riboflavin (vitamin B2) chemical and biotechnological processes in different phases of development (phase 1, 2 and 3).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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