Microbial Production of Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins are micronutrients that solubilize in organic solvent and fat but are insoluble in water. It includes A, D, E, and K which are used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic industries. With the surge in the demand for vitamins, there is a requirement to invest in unconventional production strategies. Chemical synthesis is costly and uses non-renewable chemicals and toxic compounds which can be hazardous and cause safety concerns. The use of microorganisms for vitamin production is sustainable, economical, and safe for the environment. Biotechnology has a major contribution to the production of vitamins which includes genetic, metabolic, and systematic engineering of microorganisms. In this chapter, the authors attempt to elucidate how and to what extent microbes including bacteria, fungi, and microalgae can be used and modified to produce fat-soluble vitamins.