"WEAK LINKS" IN FERMENTATION RESEARCH IN MALAYSIA

In a way, nothing much has changed in the fermentation research scenario in Malaysia today compared to the late 50s and in the sixties.There is really no shift in paradigm or real progress in the fermentation field despite the " biotechnology explosion " of the post 70s era.

The main thrust in the fermentation research is still traditional involving mainly taxonomic studies such as isolation, identification of microorganisms involved in the fermentation. Partially this may be the poor reflection of the existing paradigm of taxonomists turned fermentation technologists wannabes.

Once the isolation,characterization studies are completed the next step carried out are just the routine standard of the mill research involving very basic laboratory scale studies which are more befitting of fermentation practicals for college undergraduates. In most cases after this stage is reached no real further studies are carried out in terms of refining the scaling up studies or the industrialization of the research translated into industries

At the end of the days and after investments of millions and millions of dollars all that can be shown are just tons and tons of reports gathering dusts on the shelves

Where did we go wrong? Why cant we escape this 'blackhole' in fermentation research. Why are our research shallow, lateral and cannot be industrialized?

If we analyse the situation or quagmire we are in which steps did we failed in making the progress?

We shall look for the possible causes of the failure in the following questions?

1 Dont we send or have enough people trained in fermentation research?

In my opinion we have more than enough people sent for their PhDs in the relevant fermentation research in the good or even excellent universities in UK

2 Dont we have enough research infrastructure for fermentation research?

Looking at the various local universities I have observed that the fermentation technology course is popular, relevant and even mandatory for various courses ranging from microbiology to bioprocess engineering. In fact judging from the websites I seem to see at least two or three universities have fully equipped fermentation pilot plant. Most universities offering the courses have a large array of bioreactors or fermentors

3 Dont we have sufficient research fundings for fermentation research?

The government is having its own Intensive Research Priority funding in the tune of millions of dollars every tear to support the programme.

4 Are our fermentation research vertical or lateral research?

Sad to say from what I observed the stress on isolation, characterization and identification of fermentation and looking for strain biodiversity is lateral research. In depth vertical research or completing the fermentation study from Petrl dish right up to the industrialization is lacking

Personally I cannot find fault generally in terms of funding and research for fermentation. The only reason why I feel too little progress are really being made in this field lies with the conservative mentality, poor research ideas, failure to be creative and inability to think outside the box. This sad state of affairs could be seen by the poor quality and quantity of fermentation research papers submitted and accepted by renowned international journals.

(Dont believe me? just check the CVs of the researchers or professors in fermentation technology of the local universities in the internet )









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