Methods for the fermentative production of O-
phosphoserine, cysteate, or
taurine in microbes or unicellular organisms that contain a serB
mutation that either decreases serB expression, reduces the amount of the serB
gene product or results in a serB
gene product with low enzymatic activity. Genetic modifications of the O-
phosphoserine, cysteate, or
taurine and / or substrate biosynthetic pathways in unicellular organisms that include
bacteria,
algae, microalgae, diatoms,
yeast, or fungi are disclosed. Also disclosed are
fermentation and
processing methods for the production of various O-
phosphoserine-, cysteate-, or
taurine-containing products and the use of the cells,
fermentation broth or extracts that contain O-phosphoserine, cysteate, or taurine to produce products for use in food, feed, beverages, dietary and health supplements,
cosmetics,
personal care, pharmaceuticals, agricultural production, or surfactants.