Abstract
The global production of L-amino acids is largely based on microbiological synthesis. The largest bioproduction concerns L-glutamic acid (1.5 million tons per year), and L-lysine (850,000 tons per year). Among other amino acids, ectoine and hydroxyectoine are mentioned in the growing demand. Currently, the main producer of ectoine based on the biotechnology process is the German company Bitop. The organism used in the ectoine production is Halomonas elongata isolated from a solar salt facility on Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. The production of ectoine described in the literature is based on the so-called “milking” process. The great demand for amino acids is related to their properties and potential use. Ectoine, as a kosmotropic substance, has the property of stabilizing the structure of water molecules. Just like other osmolytes in aqueous solutions, ectoine increases the hydration of macromolecules, preventing them from denaturation. The industrial use of ectoine is based mainly on the ability to protect the skin and alleviate its inflammation but also applies to other, broad possibilities of its application in biotechnology, cosmetology, medicine and pharmacy.
1. Introduction. 2. Properties of ectoine. 3. The use of ectoine. 4. Chemical and biotechnological production of ectoine 5. Microorganisms synthesizing ectoine. 5.1. Methanotrophic bacteria. 6. Summary