SCREENING AND SELECTION OF INDUSTRIALLY IMPORTANT MICROORGANISMS: A REVIEW

Sikander Ali, Muhammad Hassan Sarfraz*, Ruqaiza Muhyudin and Waqas Ali Awan

ABSTRACT

Screening of microbes is a valuable process for industrial biotechnology as it aids in the production of valuable products of desired quality. Microbes are preferably taken from natural sources. Enrichment culture technique is employed for their growth. For the specific selection, primary and secondary screening is carried out which employ different techniques. Selected microbes are then employed for the scale up and production processes for the industries. Although an impact has been made by advances in the instrumentation, genetics, and microbial physiology but still the screening programs are primarily based on so-called classical techniques of enrichment and mutagenesis. Although there is still room for research, knowledge and collaboration for better selection of industrially valuable strains.

Keywords: Bioactive metabolites, microbial products, biocatalysts, direct assay, indirect assay, industrial screening.