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Biotech

Biotechnology utilizes living organisms to create beneficial substances and perform functions for humans, with applications ranging from food production to medicine. Genetic modification allows for the introduction of new traits in organisms, leading to products like insulin and lactose-free milk. The document also discusses the use of microorganisms in biofuels, biological washing powders, and the fermentation process for producing various products.

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anuragkhan22
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2 views

Biotech

Biotechnology utilizes living organisms to create beneficial substances and perform functions for humans, with applications ranging from food production to medicine. Genetic modification allows for the introduction of new traits in organisms, leading to products like insulin and lactose-free milk. The document also discusses the use of microorganisms in biofuels, biological washing powders, and the fermentation process for producing various products.

Uploaded by

anuragkhan22
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Biotechnology involves using living organisms (usually microorganisms, plants, or animals)

to make substances or perform specific functions that benefit humans. It has been used for
thousands of years, such as in making bread, yoghurt, and alcohol. Today, biotechnology is
also used for producing more complex substances like enzymes and medicines, including
the genetic modification of organisms.

Genetic Modification

Genetic modification is a process in which genes from one organism are taken and inserted
into another organism, leading to the production of new traits or products.

This opened new possibilities for creating microorganisms that can produce things like
insulin or cheese.

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Uses of Microorganisms in Biotechnology

Microorganisms in Food Production

Yeast is used in baking and brewing. During anaerobic respiration, yeast produces ethanol
and carbon dioxide.

Bacteria and yeast can also be used to make other foods and drinks, like yoghurt, cheese,
and bread.

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Making Biofuels (Ethanol)

Ethanol is a type of biofuel made from sugar-rich crops like maize and sugarcane.

Yeast ferments the glucose from these crops to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Ethanol is mixed with gasoline to produce biofuel, which is considered more sustainable than
fossil fuels because the plants used absorb carbon dioxide during growth.

Advantages of Biofuels:

Renewable: We can continually grow crops for biofuel production.


Carbon neutral: The carbon dioxide released when biofuels burn is offset by the carbon
dioxide absorbed by the plants.

Disadvantages of Biofuels:

Land use: Growing crops for biofuels takes up land that could be used for growing food,
which could increase food prices.

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Biological Washing Powders

Biological washing powders contain enzymes (like proteases and lipases) that break down
specific substances:

Proteases break down proteins in stains, like blood or egg stains.

Lipases break down fats in greasy stains.

The enzymes are encapsulated in microscopic capsules to prevent them from affecting the
skin of people handling the washing powder.

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Lactase in Dairy Products

Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk.

Some people (especially those of Asian descent) cannot produce lactase and are lactose
intolerant.

Lactose-free milk can be produced by adding lactase to regular milk, breaking down the
lactose into glucose and galactose, making it digestible for everyone.

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Growing Microorganisms in a Fermenter

Fermenter:
A fermenter is a large container used to grow microorganisms like bacteria or yeast on a
large scale for producing substances like enzymes, medicines, or biofuels.

Sterilisation:

The fermenter is sterilised (using steam) to kill any unwanted microorganisms before the
fermentation process begins.

Providing Nutrients:

Water and the necessary nutrients (e.g., glucose, amino acids, nitrate ions) are added to the
fermenter to allow the microorganisms to grow and multiply.

Providing Air:

If microorganisms need oxygen for aerobic respiration, air is bubbled through the fermenter.
This supplies the necessary oxygen for the microorganisms to grow.

Mixing the Contents:

A motor turns paddles to mix the contents, ensuring the microorganisms are evenly supplied
with nutrients and oxygen.

Adding the Microorganisms:

Once everything is set up, the microorganisms are added to the fermenter to begin
producing the desired product.

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Measuring and Maintaining Temperature

The temperature inside the fermenter is carefully controlled using a temperature probe.

If the temperature becomes too high (due to heat released by the microorganisms), cold
water is passed around the fermenter to cool it.

If the temperature falls too low, hot water or steam is used to raise the temperature to the
optimal level for enzyme activity.
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Measuring and Maintaining pH

The pH is monitored using a pH probe. Maintaining the correct pH is important because if


the pH becomes too high or low, it can affect the activity of the enzymes in the
microorganisms.

If carbon dioxide is produced by the microorganisms, it will lower the pH (making the
environment more acidic).

Acidic or alkaline liquids are added to adjust the pH when necessary.

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Harvesting the Product

Once the microorganisms have produced the desired product, the contents of the fermenter
are harvested.

This can be done by draining the contents through an outlet tube, or sometimes the whole
fermenter is emptied at once.

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Purifying the Product

After the fermentation process, the fermenter contains both the desired product and
unwanted substances (like microorganisms).

Purification is needed to separate the desired product from the unwanted materials, ensuring
it is pure and suitable for use or sale.

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Examples of Products Made Using Fermenters:

1. Insulin
Produced by genetically modified bacteria to treat diabetes.

2. Penicillin

Produced by the fungus Penicillium, used as an antibiotic.

3. Mycoprotein

Made by the fungus Fusarium, used as a protein-rich food (meat alternative).

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