Precision Fermentation Processes for Producing Novel Foods and Its Sustainable Applications
Samuel Ayofemi Olalekan Adeyeye, A Surendra Babu, Anukshya Subudhi, Blessing Rachael Adeyeye
Abstract
Precision fermentation is rapidly transforming sustainable food production by enabling the controlled biosynthesis of ingredients that are resource-intensive or difficult to obtain through conventional agriculture. This review provides a system-level synthesis that integrates microbial strain design, bioprocess engineering, techno-economic feasibility, environmental performance, and regulatory readiness within a unified framework, addressing gaps left by prior product- or organism-focused reviews. Guided by PRISMA guidelines, literature published between 2010 and 2025 was systematically retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. A total of 154 records were identified, of which 42 duplicates were removed. Following title and abstract screening, 112 records were assessed for eligibility. After full-text evaluation, 37 studies-including laboratory investigations, industrial case studies, techno-economic analyses, and life-cycle assessments-met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized qualitatively. This review highlights major advances in precision fermentation, including improved microbial host selection, metabolic pathway engineering, and fermentation control for producing dairy-identical proteins, enzymes, flavors, and micronutrients. Life-cycle and techno-economic analyses show that strain choice, process design, and downstream processing strongly influence sustainability and commercial viability. Compared with conventional livestock and crop systems, precision fermentation typically requires less land and water, generates lower greenhouse gas emissions, and delivers consistent, contaminant-free products, supporting climate-resilient food systems. However, challenges remain, including high capital and energy costs, scale-up inefficiencies, downstream processing complexity, consumer acceptance, and regulatory uncertainty. Future progress depends on advances in synthetic biology, AI-driven optimization, renewable energy integration, and harmonized regulatory frameworks.