Frontiers in Microbiology · 4 authors, 3 centres
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This narrative review describes poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), a water-soluble, biodegradable microbial biopolymer with diverse properties enabling applications in food, medicine, cosmetics, and agriculture. The central result is that while γ-PGA has many beneficial attributes, high production costs are the main barrier to its commercialization.
This narrative review synthesizes information on the biopolymer poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA). The review highlights its functional properties, such as high viscosity and biocompatibility, which enable its use as a thickener, stabilizer, drug carrier, and plant-growth promoter across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries. A major focus is on production challenges; the review states that γ-PGA is an expensive biopolymer, citing a cost of $173 for 100 mg. Strategies to reduce production costs include using glutamate-independent bacterial strains, agricultural wastes as substrates, and mixed-culture fermentation. The review concludes that while γ-PGA has significant commercial potential, future research must focus on further cost reduction and thorough evaluation of its pharmacokinetics and toxicity before clinical use.
