Biotechnological Production of Antibiotics

The biotechnological production of antibiotics is based on the isolation of highly productive microbial strains and the optimization of their cultivation and metabolic pathways. Antibiotics are biologically active secondary metabolites synthesized by microorganisms that inhibit the growth of competing microbes or cause their destruction. In natural ecosystems, actinomycetes—particularly species of the genus Streptomyces—are the most significant producers and are responsible for the majority of clinically important antibiotics. The rapid global spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, has intensified the demand for novel antimicrobial compounds and more efficient production technologies. The biotechnological production process involves several key stages, including the isolation and screening of environmental microorganisms for antagonistic activity, the selection of optimal nutrient media, and the evaluation of the physicochemical and biological properties of the produced antibiotics. Industrial antibiotic fermentation typically follows a two-phase growth pattern. During the trophophase, microorganisms undergo balanced growth and accumulate biomass, whereas during the idiophase, growth slows and secondary metabolism is activated, leading to intensive antibiotic biosynthesis. To enhance productivity, modern biotechnology employs strain improvement strategies such as random mutagenesis, adaptive evolution, and genetic engineering, often combined with statistical optimization of fermentation media. Recent advances in genomics, metabolomics, and genome-mining approaches have further expanded the potential for discovering new bioactive compounds by revealing previously silent biosynthetic gene clusters. This review synthesizes current knowledge on microbial antibiotic producers, fermentation strategies, and biotechnological innovations, offering a comprehensive overview of contemporary approaches to antibiotic production.