Screening: First, appropriate microorganisms are identified from the soil, water, air or sea. The technique usually comprises a series of tests, depending solely on the discretion of the researcher.
Strain development: The term 'strains' refers to different sub-species of microorganisms. Once an appropriate strain is identified, it is then developed in the lab by a process called fermentation. The purpose is to facilitate emergence of various products. An extensive strain development process can increase the yield of an organism 100 times.
Product recovery: This process, known as purification, is the most cost-intensive stage. It accounts for as much as 60 per cent of the total cost of the product. For example, vitamin B-12 exists in nature in crude form, but has no industrial application in this state. However, it has proved to be extremely useful in a purified form. Now its 'pure state' is patented.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/news/microbial-alchemy
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/newspaper/down-earth
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/pesticides
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/drug-industry
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/micro-organisms
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/fertiliser-industry
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/multicorporations
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/patents