Unveiling the Latest Breakthroughs in Menaquinone-7 Research through Fermentation-Based Production

MK-7, like other biological molecules, exists in geometric isomers, including cis and trans forms, among which only the all-trans form holds biological significance. Recent studies have drawn attention to the manifold health advantages linked to the consumption of menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Nonetheless, the scarcity of MK-7 in natural dietary sources underscores the necessity for creating dietary supplements to fulfil daily intake requisites. Obtaining MK-7 involves employing production techniques encompassing solid- or liquid-state fermentation. However, upscaling this process becomes intricate in static fermentation due to challenges in heat and mass transfer. Consequently, the bulk of research on MK-7 synthesis via fermentation has concentrated on the liquid-state approach. To this end, endeavors have been dedicated to refining MK-7 biosynthesis by exploring diverse fermentation media compositions, optimal growth conditions, and even integrating nanobiotechnology methodologies. Innovative biofilm reactors, capable of facilitating biofilm attachment on plastic composite substrates, have also emerged as a promising solution, particularly when utilizing B. subtilis cells. The biofilm reactors exhibit robust extracellular MK-7 secretion, effectively surmounting the hurdles posed by high aeration and agitation rates. However, a demonstration of the scalability of this technology to pilot and industrial scales is still pending. This work offers an outline of the latest advancements in MK-7 research, with a specific focus on the strides made in MK-7 production through fermentation techniques. The paramount importance of the all-trans form of MK-7 is underscored, accentuating its role in enhancing human well-being. The ramifications of this work hold the potential to pave the way for novel strategies to amplify MK-7 production and formulate products with an optimized MK-7 profile, thereby promising avenues for enhancing human health and nutrition.