Petrochemicals and petroleum-based products such as plastics are widely integrated into our lifestyles and make a major, irreplaceable contribution to virtually all product areas. Increasing petroleum costs have provided an opportunity for a number of renewable bio-based chemicals or plastics, in addition to the bio-based fuels, to become economically competitive. How­ever, full commercialization of renewable commodity chemicals to replace the currently exploited petrochemicals is critically tied to production cost. Therefore, development of low cost fermentation routes, increased microbial biocatalyst efficiency and productivity and increased final fermentation titer are desired.

5.1