Biotechnology Overview and Microorganism Classification

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of antifoaming agents in fermentation?

To sterilize the fermentation environment

To reduce foam formation during fermentation (correct)

To increase the metabolic rate of microorganisms

To enhance the nutrient content of the fermentation medium

Which of the following properties is NOT required for an effective antifoaming agent?

Long acting in preventing new foam

Cheap and non-toxic

Active at low concentrations

Metabolizable by microorganisms (correct)

What type of agents are added to stabilize the pH of fermentation media?

Antifoaming agents

Chelating agents

Oxygenation agents

Buffering agents (correct)

What is the role of chelating agents in fermentation?

To form complexes with metal ions Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criterion for selecting fermentation media?

Should produce maximum yield of products Signup and view all the answers

In what circumstance might pure oxygen be supplied to microorganisms?

When the oxygen requirement is particularly high Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following equipment is NOT classified as a microbiological instrument?

Spectrophotometer Signup and view all the answers

Which type of media is fully chemically defined?

Synthetic media Signup and view all the answers

Which carbon source is commonly used in laboratory fermentation?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method used for separation techniques in biotechnology?

Centrifugation Signup and view all the answers

Which parameter is NOT typically controlled in bioreactors or fermenters?

Pathogen levels Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes semi-synthetic media from synthetic media?

It includes components of variable but controlled composition Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical characteristic of crude or complex media?

Its chemical composition is not well defined Signup and view all the answers

What type of fermentation media can be characterized as broth?

Liquid fermentation media Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component required in typical fermentation media?

Heavy metals Signup and view all the answers

For industrial fermentation, which carbon source is typically used due to cost-effectiveness?

Molasses Signup and view all the answers

What does biotechnology primarily involve?

Integration of natural and engineering sciences Signup and view all the answers

Which process is included in modern biotechnology?

Genetic engineering and cell culture Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of industrial biotechnology?

Creating bio-based products using living organisms Signup and view all the answers

How are microorganisms classified?

As microscopic organisms visible under a microscope Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following microorganisms are used in industry?

Some harmful microorganisms for vaccine production Signup and view all the answers

What technique in biotechnology has raised public concern recently?

Recombinant DNA techniques Signup and view all the answers

Which sectors benefit from industrial biotechnology?

A wide range including food, chemicals, and more Signup and view all the answers

Why might recombinant DNA techniques cause public concern?

Potential for misuse in genetic modification Signup and view all the answers

What is a key property of the solid matrix used in a packed bed fermentor?

Highly compressible Signup and view all the answers

What type of microbial organisms are commonly used in a photo fermentor?

Microalgae and cyanobacteria Signup and view all the answers

How does sunlight interact with the fermentation process in a photo fermentor?

It is collected by tubes acting as solar light receivers. Signup and view all the answers

Which measurement is typically done off-line in bioreactor monitoring?

DNA concentration Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of off-line measurement methods in bioreactor monitoring?

Results are often delayed, affecting immediate control. Signup and view all the answers

What could be a limiting factor in bioreactor processing?

Shortage of reliable instruments for on-line measurement Signup and view all the answers

What technique is used to maintain adequate sunlight penetration within a photo fermentor?

Centrifugal pumps for culture transfer Signup and view all the answers

In a packed bed fermentor, which way can the nutrient broth flow?

Both upward and downward Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the fermenter vessel?

To provide controlled environmental conditions for fermentation Signup and view all the answers

Which material is commonly used for fermenter vessels in large-scale industries?

Stainless steel Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the aeration system in a fermentor?

To provide uniform suspension of microbial cells Signup and view all the answers

Which device is responsible for controlling the movement of liquids in the fermentor vessel?

Valves Signup and view all the answers

What method is performed before the removal or addition of products in the fermentor?

In-situ sterilization Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cooling jacket in the fermentor?

To provide cooling water and remove excess heat Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the fermentor is crucial for minimizing foam to avoid contamination?

Foam control unit Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental factors can be controlled within a fermentor?

Temperature, oxygen concentration, pH, and nutrient levels Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a field that combines natural and engineering sciences to utilize living organisms, cells, and molecular analogues for products and services.
It encompasses a wide range of procedures for modifying living organisms for human purposes, dating back to domestication of animals and cultivation of plants.
Modern biotechnology includes genetic engineering, cell and tissue culture technologies.

Industrial Biotechnology

Industrial Biotechnology uses living organisms and enzymes for bio-based products in various sectors like food, food ingredients, chemicals, paper, textiles, and more.
Examples include utilizing bacteria in bioleaching in the mining industry and producing biological weapons.

Classification of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are very small organisms invisible to the naked eye, visible under a microscope.
They include bacteria, archaea, algae, fungi, protozoa, and sometimes viruses.
Most microorganisms used in industry are harmless and used in food production.
A small number of dangerous microorganisms are used in vaccine and diagnostic reagent production.

Recombinant DNA Techniques

Recombinant DNA techniques have become highly successful for genetic alteration of microorganisms.
These techniques are also a cause of public concern.

Fermentation Media

Fermentation media should be suitable for maximum product yield, minimum undesirable product, cheap, readily available, and cause minimal sterilization problems.
Media types are classified by chemical composition: synthetic, semi-synthetic, and crude or complex.
Synthetic media are fully chemically defined with specific concentrations of each component.

Semi-synthetic media are largely chemically defined but contain one or more poorly specified components of variable composition.

Crude or complex media are mostly composed of plant or animal origin substances like fruit, vegetable, egg, milk, blood, body fluids, yeast, malt, and manure extracts.

The media should satisfy the nutritional requirements of the microorganism and provide the target molecule.

Media Components

Typical media require a carbon source, nitrogen source, salts, water, and micronutrients.
Sugars and carbohydrates are commonly used as carbon sources, but alcohols can also be used for products like vinegar.
Refined carbon sources like glucose, sucrose, and glycerol are used in laboratory settings.
Inexpensive carbon sources like whey, malt extract, molasses, corn steep liquor, or sugarcane juice are used in industrial fermentation.
Nitrogen sources include ammonium salts, nitrates, and amino acids.
Salts provide essential minerals for microbial growth.
Water is essential for microbial growth and metabolic processes.
Micronutrients are trace elements like vitamins, growth factors, and metals.

Oxygen

Oxygen is supplied in the form of air or pure oxygen depending on the organism's requirement.
The organism's oxygen requirements vary depending on the carbon source.
Air or oxygen supply is typically filter-sterilized before entering the fermenter.

Miscellaneous Components

Antifoaming agents are used to reduce foam during fermentation.
Buffering agents like phosphates and carbonates are added to stabilize the media's pH.
Chelating agents are utilized to complex with metal ions and make them available for microbial use.

Fermentation Instrumentation

Instrumentation encompasses the equipment and processes used in biotechnology, especially in biology-related and medical engineering fields.
Essential equipment for research, development, and commercialization in biotechnology includes:
- Microbiological instruments: Microscope, incubator, laminar flow hood, shakers, autoclaves, cell & colony counter, colony pickers, ovens, water baths.
- Biochemical and molecular instruments: Spectrophotometer, PCR machines, electrophoresis equipment.
- Cultivating techniques: Bioreactors or fermenters for aerobic and anaerobic cultivations, with online measurement and control of pH, oxygen content, dissolved oxygen, redox potential, CO2, temperature.
- Separation instruments: Distillation, rectification, centrifuging, and filtration equipment.

Bioreactor (Fermenter)

Bioreactors are vessels designed for controlled microbial growth and product formation.
Bioreactor size varies depending on the application.
Components of a bioreactor include:
- Fermenter vessel: A closed cylinder with pipes and valves, made of glass (small-scale) or stainless steel (large-scale).
- Heating and cooling apparatus: Cooling jacket, thermostatically controlled baths, or internal coils for heat control.
- Aeration system: Impellers for cell suspension and sparger for sterile air introduction.
- Feed ports: Tubes for adding nutrients and acids/alkalines.
- Foam control system: Foam sensors and control units to minimize foam.
- Valves: For controlling liquid movement in the vessel.
- Controlling devices for environmental factors: Temperature, oxygen concentration, pH, cell mass, nutrient levels, and product concentration.

Packed Bed Fermentor

Packed Bed Fermentor is a bioreactor with a solid matrix for immobilization of biocatalysts.
The solid matrix can be porous or non-porous, highly compressible, and rigid.
Nutrient broth continuously flows over the immobilized biocatalyst, releasing product into the fluid.
Fluid flow can be upward or downward.

Photo Fermentor

Photo fermentor utilizes sunlight or artificial illumination for microbial growth.
Used for producing p-Carotene, astaxanthin, and other products.
Typically made of glass or plastic.
Components include:
- Single container with tubes or panels acting as solar light receivers.
- Centrifugal pump for culture transfer through solar trappers.
- Mechanism to maintain adequate sunlight penetration and cool the fermenter when the temperature rises.
- Common microorganisms used include microalgae and cyanobacteria, which grow in the presence of sunlight and produce products during the night.

Bioreactor Monitoring and Control

Bioreactor control measurements are made on-line or off-line.
On-line measurement involves sensors directly placed in the process stream.
Off-line measurement involves aseptic sampling and analysis of the process stream.
On-line measurement is readily available for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and CO2 analysis.
Off-line analysis is necessary for compounds like DNA, RNA, enzymes, and biomass, but results are delayed and cannot be used for immediate control.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of biotechnology, including its applications in industrial sectors and the classification of microorganisms. Explore how living organisms are utilized in various industries and the significance of genetic engineering and microbial diversity in biotechnology. Test your knowledge on both historical and modern aspects of this fascinating field.