Corynebacterium glutamicum: The microbe that is revolutionizing our food!

Corynebacterium glutamicum: The microbe that is revolutionizing our food!

On March 8, 2025 Corynebacterium glutamicum voted “Microbe of the Year 2025”. This decision was made by the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM). The choice highlights the importance of this club-shaped bacterium to various industries.

Researchers in the DFG priority program “InterZell”, which has been operating under the coordination of the University of Stuttgart since 2019, are dedicating themselves intensively to studying C. glutamicum. The microbe is of great importance for the food, feed and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to producing sodium glutamate, a key umami flavor compound, C. glutamicum is also known to produce numerous important amino acids and active ingredients.

Industrial significance of C. glutamicum

The high industrial relevance of Corynebacterium glutamicum cannot be denied. In the food industry it is often used to improve the taste of products. It is most valued here for the production of sodium glutamate. At the same time, the bacterium plays a role in the production of L-lysine, an essential amino acid that is important in both food production and animal nutrition.

The “InterZell” project pursues biotechnological processes based on the use of microorganisms. Renowned scientists such as Prof. Alexander Grünberger from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Dr. Dietrich Kohlheyer from the Research Center Jülich and Prof. Andreas Schmid from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research Leipzig were involved.

Contribution to research and society

The selection as Microbe of the Year 2025 not only emphasizes the importance of microbial research, but also the valuable contribution that such organisms can make to society. Research on C. glutamicum could open up new ways to develop sustainable production methods in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The nomination of Corynebacterium glutamicum as “Microbe of the Year” goes beyond its purely scientific significance and sets the course for innovative biotechnological processes of the future. The bacterium's pronounced utility in food production and its role in the pharmaceutical industry make it an indispensable part of these areas.