see "Established vs. Recombinant Fermentation Industry - Production Costs and Capacity Requirements by 2005"

Steroids have burgeoned recently due to the introduction of novel inhaled corticosteroids [as anti-asthmatics] and third-generation contraceptive steroids. This has increased the demand for feedstocks, mainly soya sterols but increasingly from other sources such as rapeseed [canola] and wood. These sterols are also finding application as stanol esters in cholesterol-reducing food ingredients. Fermentation processes are widely used in the first stage of the production process [sterol to androstenedione] and in many subsequent stages [hydroxylation and dehydrogenation] of the steroid nucleus.

In our recent survey: "The Steroid Industry - Opportunities for Bulk and Generics" the following topics are reviewed:

• synthesis of sterois intermediates and derivatives
• production cost of intermediates and derivatives
• steroid companies, products and sales
• feedstocks, producers and output
• growth prospects by 2005.

• assessed the output of yeast extracts and autolysates in 2001 by producer derived from bakers' and brewers' yeast;
• determined the manufacturing cost of yeast extracts from bakers' and brewers' yeast;
• estimated the projected growth opportunities for yeast extracts and autolysates by 2005.

Enzymes are used in many applications including detergents, starch processing, dairy, textiles, paper, brewing and beverages, flour and baking, fats and animal feed.
Many companies are involved in the fermentation production of enzymes. In many of these enzyme processes recombinant strains have been successfully introduced.

In our latest survey on this topic L. Hepner & Associates:

• assess the present market for enzymes for all applications,
• estimate the manufacturing cost of major enzymes,
• profile every company involved in enzymes in Europe, U.S., Japan and the rest of the world
• determine the projected growth for enzymes by 2005.