Microbial Biotechnology and Fermentation

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Questions and Answers

What does fermentation primarily involve according to its definitions?

The breakdown of proteins into amino acids

The preservation of food only via freezing

The use of oxygen to produce energy

The production of alcohol through microorganisms (correct)

What is the main distinction between the Old Concept and the Modern Concept of fermentation?

The Old Concept relies on energy-releasing reactions in complex sugars, while the Modern Concept focuses on simpler materials.

The Old Concept focuses on the role of bacteria, while the Modern Concept emphasizes yeast.

The Old Concept involves anaerobic processes only, while the Modern Concept allows for aerobic processes.

The Old Concept is about preserving food, while the Modern Concept is about microbe applications. (correct)

Which of the following best describes the process of primary screening in microbial strain selection?

A general process that allows for the observation of all microorganisms.

A selective procedure to detect and isolate specific microorganisms for industrial use. (correct)

An indirect method focusing on correcting the metabolic pathway of microorganisms.

A method that eliminates all bacteria to improve purity.

Which statement accurately represents the modern scientific definition of fermentation?

Any metabolic process that releases energy from organic substances without using an electron transport system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common application of fermentation in food production?

Producing alcohol from fruits and grains. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of fermentation in microbial biotechnology?

Conversion of sugars into acids or alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor influencing microbial activity in biotechnology?

Presence of pollutants Signup and view all the answers

Which microorganism is commonly used in the production of enzymes in the pharmaceutical industry?

Molds Signup and view all the answers

What role does genetic engineering play in microbial biotechnology?

Modification of microorganism genomes for specific purposes Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes biotechnological safety and regulations?

They are important to prevent hazardous impacts on health and environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which medium is specifically noted for the growth of halotolerant bacteria?

Mannitol salt agar Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of secondary screening in microbiology?

To evaluate microbial production capabilities Signup and view all the answers

In which type of fermentation is aeration typically not required?

Anaerobic fermentation Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used to isolate industrially important antibiotic-producing organisms?

Disk plate method Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates two strains of the same species of bacteria in terms of functionality?

Pathogenic capability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Microbial Biotechnology

Dr. Eman Owis lectures on microbial biotechnology at Mansoura University, Germany
She holds a PhD from Göttingen University
Her email address is [email protected]

Fermentation

Fermentation is a biochemical process that extracts energy from carbohydrates without oxygen
Fermentation produces products like ethanol (wine), hydrogen (farts), lactic acid (cheese), and carbon dioxide (bread)
The formula for the glucose converting to alcohol and carbon dioxide is C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2 CO₂

Types of Fermenters

Different types of fermenters or bioreactors include batch, continuous, and solid-state
Fermenters can operate under aerobic or anaerobic conditions

Microbial Biotechnology Processes

Includes isolation, separation, screening, strain improvement, and downstream processes (purification).
Isolation: Isolating specific types of interested bacteria or micro-organisms is carried out through various methods.
Separation: Separating selected microbes or bacteria from a microbial population allows for studying and analyzing individual microbes.
Screening: Identifying specific micro-organisms based on their desired characteristics. Screening is done either: primary or secondary screening.
- Primary screening: involves detecting and isolating microbes for their industrial applications, like those producing Amylases, organic acids, or antibiotics.
- Secondary screening: focuses on the properties of the bacterial products, using specialized screening procedures
Strain Improvement: Improving the characteristics required to improve yield and function of microorganisms. Example: improving the amount of product produced
Downstream Processes: This process focuses on extracting, purifying, and polishing the desired products or compounds from the fermentation broth.
- Separation of insolubles: Filtering, centrifuging, and settling to remove cells, debris, and precipitates
- Extraction: Removing molecules that differ greatly from needed product
- Purification: Removing from product similar molecules. Techniques like Chromatography, two-phase, and absorption is used
- Polishing: Packaging product in stable forms. Techniques: crystallization, lyophilization, and spray drying

Solid-State Fermentation

SSF is a fermentation process performed in the absence or near absence of free water
SSF is suitable for cultivating microorganisms on a solid substrate like grains, rice, or wheat
SSF is often used to produce enzymes, utilizing natural raw materials like barley, wheat bran, and sugarcane bagasse

Submerged Fermentation

Used to create bio-compounds. It includes enzymes and compounds in a liquid medium like broth (as examples) or oil or alcohol.
The substrate is in liquid form, containing essential nutrients for growth
The process is typically continuous, harvesting the product biomass from the fermenter using techniques like filtration or centrifugation.
Fermenters are operated continuously for manufacturing and retrieving different bio-molecules from the fermentation broth or medium, which requires subsequent filtering and/or centrifugation of the products

Applications

Submerged fermentation is suitable for micro-organisms that require high moisture content, e.g., bacteria.
This fermentation technique simplifies the process of purifying the products.
The substrate utilized in submerged fermentation include soluble sugars, molasses, liquid media, and fruit/vegetable juices.

Types of Screening

Methods used for microbial screening, such as the disk plate methods, direct plate methods, and serial dilution methods, are important for isolating potential industrially beneficial microorganisms from diverse populations

Outputs of the Lecture

The process of fermentation (principles & bases)
Principles of fermenters/bioreactors, including types such as batch and continuous fermenters
Principles of downstream processing, such as separation, extraction, purification, and polishing

General Concept of Fermentation:

Old Concept: Fermentation is an anaerobic process in the presence of yeast until organic matter becomes simpler materials.
Modern Concept: The use of microorganisms (or their products like enzymes) to convert complex organic compounds into simpler substances useful to humans or to enhance quality of life.

Advantages of Solid-State Fermentation (SSF)

Lower contamination risk due to low water levels
Easier product separation
More energy efficient
Facilitates the development of developed structures

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of microbial biotechnology and fermentation processes. Learn about different types of fermenters, the biochemical processes involved, and the various applications of fermentation in food production. This quiz encompasses key concepts that are essential for understanding the field.