Microbial consortia in biotechnology: applications and challenges in industrial processes

Abstract

Microbial consortia, dynamic communities of interacting microorganisms, outperform single-species cultures in industrial biotechnology by overcoming metabolic bottlenecks and degrading complex compounds. These consortia are vital in bioremediation, bioenergy, bioproduction, agriculture, and wastewater treatment. In bioremediation, they efficiently break down persistent pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For bioenergy, they convert organic waste into biofuels such as methane and ethanol through multi-step metabolic processes unachievable by single microbes. They also enable sustainable synthesis of bioplastics, antibiotics, and other high-value compounds while enhancing agricultural productivity through improved nutrient availability and biocontrol of plant pathogens. Consortia degrade complex organic contaminants in wastewater treatment, ensuring cleaner effluents and environmental protection. The industrial application faces challenges, including ensuring microbial community stability, optimising performance, and scaling processes from laboratory to industrial scale. The intricate interactions within consortia complicate control, predictability, and real-time monitoring, while intellectual property and regulatory frameworks pose additional barriers. Limitations include gaps in understanding long-term ecological impacts and scalability in diverse environments. Advancements in microbial ecology, systems biology, and bioprocess engineering are crucial to address these issues. Prospects involve using CRISPR and AI to design robust consortia, improve predictive modelling, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations for sustainable applications. Overcoming these challenges will unlock the full potential of microbial consortia, revolutionise industrial processes, and advance sustainable biotechnology. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2025.