The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) will be hosting a webinar titled Sarawak Biodiversity Insights: featuring Microbial Co-Fermentation of Non-Conventional Substrates for Improved Production of Value-Added Biochemicals by Dr Oh Eun Joong on 13th August 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
As industries around the world look for more sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, bio-based alternatives are gaining momentum. In this upcoming session, Dr. Oh will delve into the increasing demand for these natural alternatives and how innovative approaches in metabolic engineering are helping to tackle key challenges in microbial fermentation specifically the high cost of raw materials and low production efficiency.
Dr. Oh’s presentation will highlight his latest research on enhancing two yeast strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Issatchenkia orientalis, to efficiently produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) and L-lactic acid. These valuable bio-chemicals are derived from plant-based waste materials specifically biomass hydrolysates enriched with acetate and D-galacturonic acid.
By tapping into underutilized agricultural by-products, Dr. Oh’s work supports a more circular and sustainable bioeconomy while opening new doors for cost-effective industrial applications.
Dr. Oh Eun Joong, Assistant Professor at the Department of Food Science, Purdue University, will also present his research titled “Microbial Co-Fermentation of Non-Conventional Substrates for Improved Production of Value-Added Biochemicals.” His work explores innovative metabolic engineering strategies in yeast to convert non-food plant biomass into valuable organic acids, offering scalable and cost-effective solutions for sustainable biomanufacturing. This not only supports the shift toward greener industrial practices but also encourages scientific collaboration within the global research community.
Registration is free and open to all. Participants can join via Zoom by registering at https://qrco.de/DrOh or stream the event live on SBC’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sarawak.biodiversity.centre. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with the presenters during a live Q&A session.
For further information and inquiries on the webinar, please contact Cassandra Hazel Mijilit (
