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Semester 3: M.Sc. Biotechnology Syllabus 2023-2024
Introduction to fermentation. General requirements of fermentation. Microbial growth kinetics of batch and continuous culture. Solid substrate, slurry fermentation and its application. Microbial cell culture. Immobilization of cells and enzymes
Introduction to fermentation
Overview of Fermentation
Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol using microorganisms. It occurs anaerobically and is utilized in various industries, including food production and biofuel generation.
General Requirements for Fermentation
Key requirements include a suitable substrate (usually carbohydrates), appropriate pH levels, optimal temperature, anaerobic conditions, and a sufficient supply of nutrients for microbial growth.
Microbial Growth Kinetics
Understanding microbial growth kinetics is essential for optimizing fermentation processes. Batch culture involves a closed system, while continuous culture allows for a steady state of production. Both methods have unique growth rates and yield influences.
Solid Substrate Fermentation
Involves the use of solid substrates for microbial growth and product formation. Applications include the production of fermented foods such as tempeh and koji, as well as in bioremediation processes.
Slurry Fermentation
Slurry fermentation uses a mixture of solid and liquid substrates. It is effective in producing products where a higher concentration of substrates is essential, such as in the case of some enzyme productions.
Microbial Cell Culture
Microbial cell culture focuses on the growth and maintenance of microorganisms under controlled conditions for research and industrial applications, enabling the study of metabolic pathways and production of biomolecules.
Immobilization of Cells and Enzymes
Immobilization techniques protect cells or enzymes from degradation, allow reuse, and enhance stability. Methods include adsorption, entrapment, and covalent bonding. This is crucial for improving process efficiency in fermentation.
Types of bioreactors Submerged reactors, surface reactors, mechanically agitated reactors, non- mechanically agitated reactors. Design of fermenters, body construction. Production of citric acid, penicillin and insulin. Isolation and improvement ofIndustrially important Micro-organisms, Media for Industrial fermentation and Sterilization
Types of bioreactors
Submerged Reactors
Submerged reactors operate with microorganisms submerged in a liquid medium. They provide a controlled environment for fermentation and are suitable for aerobic and anaerobic processes. Oxygen transfer is a critical factor in these reactors, often enhanced by aeration.
Surface Reactors
Surface reactors utilize the surface of a liquid for microbial growth, such as in fermentation using solid substrates. They are generally simpler than submerged reactors and suitable for solid-state fermentation, allowing for better oxygen transfer.
Mechanically Agitated Reactors
These reactors are equipped with mechanical stirrers or impellers to ensure thorough mixing of the culture medium and microorganisms. They facilitate better mass transfer and heat transfer, making them ideal for large-scale industrial applications.
Non-Mechanically Agitated Reactors
These reactors rely on natural convection or gas sparging to mix the contents. They are simpler in design with less energy consumption but can have limitations in mixing efficiency, especially for high-viscosity media.
Design of Fermenters
Fermenter design is crucial for optimizing microbial growth and product yield. Factors include volume, shape, and materials of construction, which affect mass transfer, heat transfer, and sterilization processes.
Body Construction
The body of fermenters must be constructed of materials resistant to corrosion and able to withstand high temperatures and pressures. Stainless steel is commonly used, along with proper sealing to maintain sterility.
Production of Citric Acid
Citric acid is produced by fermentation using organisms like Aspergillus niger. This process involves substrate selection, fermentation parameters, and downstream processing for purification.
Production of Penicillin
Penicillin is obtained from Penicillium fungi through fermentation. The production process requires specific pH, temperature, and nutrient conditions to maximize yield.
Production of Insulin
Insulin production involves recombinant DNA technology, where bacteria or yeast are engineered to produce human insulin. Fermentation conditions must be optimized for high yield and proper folding of the protein.
Isolation and Improvement of Micro-organisms
Industrial microorganisms are isolated using various techniques, such as enrichment culture. Strain improvement methods include mutation and genetic engineering to enhance production capabilities.
Media for Industrial Fermentation
The choice of media is critical for successful fermentation. It must provide necessary nutrients and support microbial growth. Complex media and defined media are commonly used depending on the microorganism.
Sterilization
Sterilization is essential to prevent contamination in fermentation processes. Methods include autoclaving, chemical sterilization, and filtration, ensuring the media and equipment are free of unwanted microorganisms.
Introduction to bioproducts and bioseparation. Primary recovery process Cell disruption methods. Cell lysis and Flocculation Osmotic and mechanical methods of lysis. Flocculation by electrolysis polymorphic flocculation. Precipitation methods. Filtration Principles, Conventional, Crossflow filtration. Sedimentation Principles, Sedimentation coefficients. Extraction Principles, Liquid liquid extraction, aqueous two phase extraction
Introduction to bioproducts and bioseparation
Overview of Bioproducts
Bioproducts are derived from biological materials and processes. They include a wide range of products such as enzymes, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and bioplastics. The focus is on sustainable production using renewable resources.
Bioseparation Techniques
Bioseparation involves the extraction of valuable products from biological mixtures. Techniques include filtration, precipitation, extraction, and centrifugation. The aim is to purify bioproducts while minimizing loss and degradation.
Primary Recovery Process
The primary recovery process is crucial for separating desired products from cells and impurities. It typically involves cell disruption followed by separation methods.
Cell Disruption Methods
Cell disruption is necessary for releasing intracellular products. Methods include osmotic lysis, mechanical disruptions like bead mills or homogenizers, and chemical methods using detergents.
Cell Lysis and Flocculation
Cell lysis can be achieved through osmotic methods or mechanical means. Flocculation helps aggregate dispersed cells for easier separation through sedimentation or filtration.
Osmotic and Mechanical Methods of Lysis
Osmotic lysis employs changes in osmotic pressure to break cells, while mechanical methods use physical force. Both methods can impact product yield and quality.
Flocculation by Electrolysis and Polymorphic Flocculation
Electrolytic flocculation uses electrical fields to encourage cell aggregation. Polymorphic flocculation involves using various agents to enhance floc formation, improving separation efficiency.
Precipitation Methods
Precipitation involves adding salts or reagents to cause proteins or biomolecules to aggregate and separate from the solution. It is a cost-effective technique for purification.
Filtration Principles
Filtration separates solids from fluids using a porous medium. The principles vary from conventional methods to advanced techniques like crossflow filtration which allows for continuous processing.
Sedimentation Principles and Coefficients
Sedimentation utilizes gravity to separate solid particles from liquids. Sedimentation coefficients measure how quickly particles settle, influencing the design of separation processes.
Extraction Principles
Extraction is a key separation technique. Liquid-liquid extraction allows for partitioning of solutes between two immiscible liquids, while aqueous two-phase extraction separates biomolecules based on affinity.
Liquid-Liquid Extraction
This technique involves transferring a solute from one liquid phase to another. The choice of solvents affects efficiency and selectivity.
Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction
Aqueous two-phase extraction involves two water-based solutions that separate biomolecules based on their solubility and affinity towards each phase. It is gentle and preserves biological activity.
Types and properties of biopolymers. Applications in food, pharmaceutical and other industrial sectors. Advances in biopolymer research including biodegradable polymers and their synthesis methods
Types and properties of biopolymers
Introduction to Biopolymers
Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by living organisms. They include polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Their characteristics depend on their sources and structures.
Types of Biopolymers
1. **Polysaccharides**: These include starch, cellulose, and chitin. They are energy sources and provide structural support in cells. 2. **Proteins**: Composed of amino acids, they play crucial roles in biological processes and can be enzymes, hormones, or antibodies. 3. **Nucleic acids**: DNA and RNA are essential for genetic information storage and transfer.
Properties of Biopolymers
Biopolymers possess unique properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. Their mechanical properties can vary widely based on their molecular structure.
Applications in Food Industry
Biopolymers are used as food additives, stabilizers, and thickeners. Examples include agar and pectin, which improve the texture and shelf life of food products.
Applications in Pharmaceutical Industry
In pharmaceuticals, biopolymers are used for drug delivery systems and as excipients. They can enhance the solubility and bioavailability of drugs.
Applications in Other Industrial Sectors
Biopolymers have applications in packaging, textiles, and agriculture, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
Advances in Biopolymer Research
Research focuses on enhancing the properties and functionality of biopolymers. Innovations include new synthesis methods and modifications to improve performance.
Biodegradable Polymers
Biodegradable polymers are designed to break down in natural environments. They are gaining attention for reducing plastic waste.
Synthesis Methods
Various synthesis methods include fermentation, enzymatic polymerization, and chemical synthesis. Advances in these methods aim to improve yield and reduce costs.
Scale up and down processes, monitoring and control of bioprocesses. Downstream processing techniques, purification, and quality control of bioproducts.
Scale up and down processes, monitoring and control of bioprocesses, downstream processing techniques, purification, and quality control of bioproducts
Scale Up and Down Processes
Scaling bioprocesses involves adjusting the conditions and size of operations from laboratory to pilot and full-scale production. Key aspects include maintaining optimal growth conditions for microorganisms and ensuring proper mixing, aeration, and temperature control. Downscaling focuses on optimizing laboratory conditions for smaller volumes and ensuring they are representative of larger scales.
Monitoring and Control of Bioprocesses
Monitoring involves tracking critical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and biomass concentration. Control strategies include feedback mechanisms to adjust process conditions in real-time to optimize product yields and minimize variabilities throughout the bioprocess.
Downstream Processing Techniques
Downstream processing refers to the purification and recovery processes applied after the bioprocess. Techniques include centrifugation, filtration, chromatography, and precipitation. Each method has specific applications based on the bioproduct's properties and the desired purity levels.
Purification of Bioproducts
Purification aims to isolate the desired bioproduct from contaminants. This stage typically involves multiple methods in sequence to achieve high purity. The choice of techniques depends on the type of bioproduct, its solubility, and thermal stability.
Quality Control of Bioproducts
Quality control ensures that bioproducts meet predetermined specifications before they reach the market. It involves analytical methods to assess purity, potency, and safety. Techniques such as HPLC, mass spectrometry, and microbial testing are commonly employed in quality assurance.
