2. � Bioprocess Technology is the sub-discipline within
Biotechnology that combines living matter, in the form of
organisms or enzymes, with nutrients under specific optimal
conditions to make a desired product.
� Many potential uses of biotechnology are developed through
lab procedures that generally produce only small amounts of
useful substances.
� As advances in bioprocess technology, particularly
fermentation, separation and purification techniques, are made
– commercial farms are able to economically produce these
substances in large amounts.
The Bioprocess Technology
5. Bioprocess Technology in Producing Microbial Products
Microbial cell (biomass)
Yeast biomass, SCP, bio-
fertilizers, detoxificants.
The large molecules
Enzymes, polysaccharides.
The primary metabolites
Alcohol, amino acids, purine
nucleotides, vitamins, organic
acids.
The secondary metabolites
Antibiotics, toxins, alkaloids
6. Properties Primary Metabolites Secondary Metabolites
Alternative names Central metabolites Idiolites or Specialized
Metabolites
Meaning Primary metabolites are the
intermediate compounds that
produce first in the metabolic
pathway
Secondary metabolites
are the end products of
the metabolic pathway
Phase It occurs in Trophophase or log
phase
It occurs in Idiophase or
stationary phase
Types of
metabolites
Two types (Primary essential
metabolites and Primary
metabolic end products)
Not classified
Type of metabolism These are the products of
primary metabolism
These are the products of
secondary metabolism
Production quantity Large Small
Role in bacterial
cell growth
Its production is necessary for
the survival and growth of
bacteria
Its production has no
importance in cell growth
and development
Defensive action Primary metabolites do not take
part in defense actions
Bioactive secondary
metabolites have a
property of defensive
action
Production process Easy Complex
Toxicity Non-toxic Toxic
Examples Proteins, enzymes, nucleic
acids, carbohydrates, amino
acids, vitamins, ethanol etc.
Antibiotics, pigments,
toxins etc.
Definition of Primary Metabolites
Bacteria produce intermediate products during their growth phase that are
the primary metabolites. Bacteria undergo primary metabolism to form
primary metabolites. Primary metabolism is nothing but a log phase of
bacteria.
During log phase, the bacterial cells go through:
1.An exponential increase in the cell number occurs.
2.Rapid cell division occurs.
3.Cells exhibit high metabolic activity.
4.Cell doubling occurs at a constant rate. As a result, bacteria show balanced
growth.
5.Cells have the optimal concentration of proteins, nucleic acids etc.
Definition of Secondary metabolites
Bacteria produce end products during their stationary phase that are the
secondary metabolites. During secondary metabolism, bacteria produce
secondary metabolites. These do not have a direct association with growth,
development, and reproduction.
Secondary metabolism occurs in the stationary phase of bacteria. During
stationary phase, the bacterial cells go through:
1.Cell growth ceases due to nutrient scarcity and the accumulation of
toxins.
2.Cell proliferation becomes equal to cell death.
3.Cells are less metabolically active.
4.Spore forming bacteria produce endospores in this phase. At the same
phase, some pathogenic bacteria begin to generate toxic substances
7.
8. � Baker’s yeast
(Saccharomyces
cerevisiae)
� Single cell protein
(Fusarium venenatum)
� Microbial biomass protein
(yeast & fungi)
� Bacterial insecticides
(Bacillus thuringiensis)
� Nitrogen-fixing inoculant
(Rhizobium spp.)
Microbial Biomass
YEAST BIOMASS
Baker’s yeast
Used as a leavening agent in baking
bread & bakery products
Brewer’s yeast
Used fermentation of alcoholic beverages
(beer, wine etc.)
Distillery yeast
Used for fermentation of industrial
alcohol (biofuel, solvent)
Nuritional yeast
Used in functional foods, dietary
supplements, and in clinical nutrition
(as a natural source of trace elements,
vitamins and minerals)
9. The biomass or protein extract from pure or mixed cultures of
algae, yeasts, fungi or bacteria may be used as an ingredient or
a substitute for protein-rich foods, and is suitable for human
consumption or as animal feeds.
Yeast: Candida utilis
Fungi (mycelial): Fusarium venenatum
Bacteria: Rhodobacter capsulatus
Algae: Spirulina spp.
Single cell protein (SCP)
10. Bio-toxicants
� Against lepidopetra larvae
(Bacillus thuringiensis)
� Against mosquitoes
(Bacillus thuringiensis)
� Against black fly
(Bacillus sphaericus)
Bio-fertilizers and Bio-toxicants
12. Primary Metabolites: Products of Catabolism
� By-products of the cell’s energy yielding processes
� “Normal” cells produce significant quantities (but
we can improve on this!)
Examples: Ethanol
Alcoholic Beverages
Fuel (and industrial) Alcohol
13. Secondary Metabolites
❑ Not part of the “central”
metabolic pathways
❑ Producers:
◦ Actinomycetes (eg
Streptomyces)
◦ Fungi (eg Penicillium)
◦ Sporeforming bacteria
(Bacillus)
❑ Produced as growth slows/
stops in batch cultures
Antibiotics are of major
industrial importance
Steroids Rhizopus nigricans
Antibiotics
Penicillin Penicillium crysogenum
Cephalosporin Cephalosporium spp.
Bacitracin Bacillus subtilis
Tetracyclines Streptomyces spp.
Genetically engineered products
� Insulin Escherichia coli
(GM)
� Interferon Escherichia coli
(GM)
� Growth hormone Escherichia coli
(GM)
Pharmaceuticals
15. Opportunities (areas) of Bioprocesses
� Transition of biotechnology in products formation
� Obtaining higher value products through genetic
engineering & cell culture
� Producing biofuel and other biological energy source
� Contributing design and operation of fermentation systems
� Using in the development of food processing systems
� Development of product separation technologies
� Development of monitoring and control systems of
biological process
� Upgrading fuel by bio refining process
� Bioremediation of environmental pollution
16. 1. It can utilize waste products as a raw materials to
create new products; these raw substances are
cheaper to produce than most traditional industrial
products.
2. It requires very low energy requirements - most
industrial applications operate at low
temperatures; it does not need large power plants
which makes it applicable for less developed
countries
Unfortunately, it can be used not only for the benefit
of mankind but also as a tool in the "bio-warfare
programs", for example.
Why bioprocess technology is very attractive to industry?
