Halophilic fermentation is reasonable when sustainable substrates
are being used and high-value products being produced.
Renewable substrates, waste materials, and by-products are often
considered as sustainable substrates. Most of the type species of
the halophilic fermentative genera are able to utilize starch as a
substrate. Starch is a renewable substrate as an energy-storing
polysaccharide produced by green plants. Along with starch, also
cellulose, a polysaccharide used as a main component of cell wall
by green plants, is often considered as a sustainable substrate.
Only one species, Halocella cellulolsilytica, among the halophilic
fermentative bacteria identified thus far is able to degrade cellulose.
However, several strains are capable for biodegradation of
cellobiose, a derivative of cellulose.