Pharmaceuticals: Bioconversions are used to produce antibiotics, steroids, and other therapeutic compounds with high specificity and purity. For instance, the production of
penicillin involves the use of the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum.
Food and Beverages: Enzymes are used for the production of cheese, beer, and wine. For example, the enzyme
lactase is used to produce lactose-free milk.
Agriculture: Bioconversions help in the production of biofertilizers and biopesticides. Microorganisms like
Rhizobium are used for nitrogen fixation in legumes.
Biofuels: Microbial fermentation is employed to produce bioethanol and biodiesel from biomass, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Environmental: Bioconversions are used in bioremediation to degrade pollutants and toxins in the environment. For instance, certain bacteria can degrade oil spills.