Journal profile · Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
ISSN 0175-7598 · eISSN 1432-0614 · Springer Berlin Heidelberg · GERMANY · Semimonthly · Founded 1975
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology: CAS Zone 3 · Biology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 4.71; fully open access; APC about USD 4,190; median 102 days to acceptance (49 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: 50%; 287 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology is published by Springer Berlin Heidelberg and is in Zone 3 of Biology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction, Biofuel production and bioconversion and Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization, together about 34% of its articles. Its main subfields are Molecular Biology. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The journal publishes two categories of articles: (i) Original Papers (preferred length of 6-8 printed pages) (ii) Mini-Reviews (preferred length of 5-6 printed pages). Mini-Reviews are short reviews critically summarizing the current state of and providing perspectives on biotechnological processes, products, microbial genomes, methods and equipment. Papers should deal with the following aspects of applied microbiology and biotechnology: Biotechnological products and process engineering Established and in pipe technologies of biotechnological processes using prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells or enzymes and other proteins for production, conversion, degradation and detection of substances including bioreactor design. Biotechnologically relevant enzymes and proteins Characterization of hitherto undescribed, biotechnologically relevant enzymes and proteins or of known proteins with novel properties and purification of proteins on a technical scale. Bioenergy and biofuels Biotechnological processes for production of fuels, combustible chemicals and other forms of energy. Applied genetics and molecular biotechnology New vectors and methods for genetic transformation and all aspects of strain improvement employing recombinant DNA technology including metabolic engineering and enzyme engineering. Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics Characterization and analyses of genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes. Applied microbial and cell physiology Physiological studies on biosynthesis, catabolism and biotransformation of biotechnologically relevant compounds. Environmental biotechnology All aspects of environmental processes using microorganisms and biodegradation of hazardous chemicals. Methods and protocols Novel methods and techniques or significant modifications of already described methods or new combinations of methods yielding significant improvements. Their novelty and reliability must be concisely presented.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Editor-in-chief Hermann J. HeipieperPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 5 in mainland China (about 7%); most named Germany 16, United States 13, Japan 12, Mainland China 5, Poland 4 (69 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and BioproductionBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology13.9%
- Biofuel production and bioconversionEngineering11.5%
- Enzyme Catalysis and ImmobilizationBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology8.6%
- Enzyme Production and CharacterizationBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology7.6%
- Fungal and yeast genetics researchBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4.5%
- Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactantsEnvironmental Science4%
- Wastewater Treatment and Nitrogen RemovalEnvironmental Science3.9%
- Microbial Natural Products and BiosynthesisMedicine3.7%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Biology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Biology Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Biology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusDOAJLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
EI CompendexMEDLINEEmbaseCASCAB AbstractsCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, AGRICOLA, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSS
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 4.71LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 4.7Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 5.2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 9LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.01LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.04LetPub ·
- h-index
- 198LetPub ·
- h-index
- 334OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 17,251OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 7.12OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 2.1%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 70.22%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 281LetPub ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 4,700,000Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 21,864 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 369 | 369 | 225 |
| 2025 | 287 | 287 | 1,594 |
| 2024 | 533 | 533 | 6,650 |
| 2023 | 495 | 169 | 7,209 |
| 2022 | 600 | 178 | 12,708 |
| 2021 | 700 | 229 | 18,842 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
102 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 63 days – 176 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 18 days (49 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 127 days
- Sample
- 49 articles with submission and acceptance dates (82 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 2 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 50%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 11 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer review, Double anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Fully open accessOpenAlex
Every article is open access; authors usually pay an article processing charge (APC).
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 4,190 / EUR 3,290 / GBP 2,690 | — | — |
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers2, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare6 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
- Highlights
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
Article types accepted5, with length limits
- mini reviewThe journal is interested in publishing excellent Mini Reviews. These reviews must be short and concise, timely, critical and in-depth, address novel aspects or…main text ≤ 200 words · abstract ≤ 200 words
- mini reviewsApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology publishes the following types of papers: Original Articles Mini ReviewsLength not stated
- original articlesApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology publishes the following types of papers: Original Articles Mini ReviewsLength not stated
- original paperAbstract: Each paper must be preceded by an abstract presenting the most important results and conclusions in no more than 250 words. em>Key Points: All submiss…main text ≤ 250 words
- reviewApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology publishes the following types of papers: Original ArticlesMini Reviews Back to topLength not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review
- AI use Generative AI Images
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship Policy
Authorship should incorporate and should be restricted to those who have contributed substantially to the work in one or more of the following categories: • Conceived of or designed study • Performed research • Analyzed data • Contributed new methods or models • Wrote the paper Author Contribution Statement Authors must provide a short description of the contributions made by each listed author (p…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Disclosures and declarations
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate). The decision whether such …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability Data availability statements
Data availability policy Model summary
All original research must include a data availability statement. This statement should explain how to access data supporting the results and analysis in the article, including links/citations to publicly archived datasets analysed or generated during the study. Please see our full policy here. If it is not possible to share research data publicly, for instance when individual privacy could be com…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Compliance with Ethical Standards
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved an…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Copyright / permissions policy Model summary
Articles in Springer Nature open access journals do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer Review Process
Peer review type Model summary
This journal follows a single-anonymous peer review procedure. All manuscripts undergo technical checks upon submission. Manuscripts that pass technical checks are assigned to the Managing Editor and undergo suitability checks to confirm alignment with the aims and scope of the journal.Eligible manuscripts are sent out for peer review. Reviewers are invited by the editors. A minimum of 2 reviewers…
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- Country or region
- GERMANY
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Semimonthly
- Founded
- 1975
- ISSN
- 0175-7598
- Electronic ISSN
- 1432-0614
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
What CAS zone is Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology is in Zone 3 of Biology, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Biology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 4.71; CiteScore 9, h-index 334.
How long does peer review take at Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology?
Based on the dates recorded on 49 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 102 days (interquartile range 63–176 days); authors report an average review time of about 2 months; the community-reported acceptance is “50%”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Reference style: Author–date; Suggested reviewers: Optional; Highlights: Required; Graphical abstract: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology based?
Of the 69 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 5 (about 7%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Germany (16), United States (13) and Japan (12). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology is indexed in SCIE, Scopus and DOAJ. The journal's website also lists EI Compendex, MEDLINE, Embase, CAS, CAB Abstracts and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology open access, and what is the APC?
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology is a fully open-access journal. APC about USD 4,190.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .