Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

Bioprocessing

The engineering component of the commercial exploitation of biological materials, living organisms, and their activities is known as bioprocessing.

Four aspects of bioprocessing include:

enzyme engineering,

whole–cell bioreactors,

transport and adhesion of cells and

bioseparation

9.1.1 Enzyme Engineering

Enzymes are an alternative to live cells for synthesis of biological products. The applications vary from alternate fuel synthesis to environmental remediation to biosensors to food processing. Cellulase is an example of an enzyme used in an immobilized configuration for the conversion of biomass to feed for ethanol in the production of alternate fuels. In addition, these systems are beginning of prove useful in the environmental area for the selective removal of heavy metals or the transformation of hazardous substances, such as organics, into nontoxic compounds.

Enzyme technology is exploited in the area of biosensors.

• Enzyme-coated electrodes provide a highly selective and sensitive method for determining the amount of a given substrate.
• E.g., sensors for common substrates like glucose, urea, and nitrate as well as sensors for fermentation products and intermediates like amino acids, lactic acid, penicillin, and alcohols.
• The future use of these specific electrodes will facilitate control of bioprocess, and thus, higher productivity in all aspects of bioprocessing.

At the level of everyday use, enzymes and other bioproducts are among employed in the food industry as preservatives, thickeners, coloring and flavoring agents, and emulsifiers. Enzymes are able to replace or minimize the number of additions used in the food processing industry. Enzymes are also used to increase the self life of many fruits and vegetables including fishes.