Advances in Fermentation Science

Dear Colleagues,

Fermentation is a cornerstone of biotechnology, food production, biomedical and industrial microbiology, offering sustainable solutions across diverse fields. Recent advances in fermentation science are revolutionizing traditional processes through innovations in microbial engineering, metabolic pathway optimization, and bioprocess control. This Special Issue explores cutting-edge research in the development of novel microbial strains, precision fermentation techniques, and real-time monitoring technologies. It also examines the expanding role of fermentation in alternative protein production, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, study models, and functional foods. By integrating systems biology, synthetic biology, and data-driven approaches, these developments are pushing the boundaries of what fermentation can achieve in both industry and research.

This Special Issue aims to gather together the latest knowledge on fermentation, focusing on advanced methodologies and applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Engineering microbial strains for enhanced metabolite production;

CRISPR and synthetic biology in fermentation;

Exploring extremophiles and novel fermentative organisms;

Metagenomics and microbiome-driven fermentation innovation;

Directed evolution of microbes for industrial applications;

Real-time monitoring and control systems in fermentation processes;

Bioreactor design and scale-up strategies;

Continuous vs. batch fermentation: technological perspectives;

Process intensification in modern fermentation systems;

Use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in fermentation process control;

Fermentation for alternative protein production (e.g., mycoproteins, precision fermentation);

Fermentation of agricultural and food waste into value-added products;

Biofuel and bioplastic production via fermentation pathways;

Circular bioeconomy and the role of fermentation;

Next-generation fermented foods and beverages;

Functional foods: probiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics;

Fermentation and flavor development;

Plant-based dairy and meat alternatives through fermentation;      

Safety, shelf life, and standardization in artisanal vs. industrial fermentation;

Microbial fermentation in drug synthesis and biopharmaceuticals;

Production of antibiotics, enzymes, and vitamins via fermentation;

Fermentation in gut health and personalized nutrition;

Fermentation-derived nutraceuticals;

Metabolomics and proteomics in fermentation systems;

Systems biology approaches to pathway engineering;

Integrative modeling of microbial communities in fermentation;

Data-driven optimization and digital twins for fermentation processes;

Reviving and optimizing traditional fermentation practices;

Ethnobiological insights into indigenous fermentation systems;        

Cross-cultural perspectives on fermentation and health;

Bridging artisanal methods with industrial fermentation technologies.

Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Gónzalez-Hernández
Prof. Dr. Luis Alberto Madrigal-Perez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• fermentation
• food science
• biochemical engineering
• applied fermentation
• molecular
• biology