Recent Advancements in Fermentation Strategies for Mass Production and Formulation of Biofertilizers: Towards Waste Valorization

Biofertilizers are microbial cultures that colonize the rhizosphere and help in nutrient uptake by plants. However, despite significant progress in the research and development of various biofertilizer formulations, the practical usage of these falls well short of their capability. Production and optimization of biofertilizer formulations require aseptic conditions and close monitoring throughout the manufacturing process. In this regard, scaling up its production process requires an in-depth understanding of fermentation techniques along with process control parameters. The current study explores various mass production techniques using fermentation technology for upscaling biofertilizer production. Exploration of the potential utilization of nutrients found in domestic and industrial wastewater has been undertaken to cultivate biofertilizer strains through both solid and liquid fermentation. These approaches represent two pathways that could effectively contribute to resource recovery, aligning with the principles of a circular economy. The sustainable large-scale production of biofertilizers also hinges on the optimization of processes and formulations, coupled with the development of suitable carriers.