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Biotechnology
Biochemical Engineering

Definition
Roles of a biochemical engineer

Bioprocess Engineering
Advantages and Disadvantages of
Biological Processes
Fermentation Process

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The use or development of methods

of direct genetic manipulation for a
socially desirable goal
chemical
plants or seeds
gene therapy
waste degradation

Source: Shuler, M. and Kargi, F. Bioprocess Engineering Basic Concepts 2nd Ed. USA. 2002

The

practices of biotechnology
have long been existent (e.g.
fermentation of food and
beverages), but without
accompanying knowledge that
microorganisms are responsible for
these.

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Recombinant DNA development of

new cells or products from the genetic
material of individual cells that are
directly manipulated
Involves the practice of genetic engineering

Cell fusion formation of cells with nuclei

and cytoplasm from 2 different cell
types.

OTHER
APPLICATIONS OF
BIOTECHNOLOGY:

Source: Dutta, R. Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering. India. 2008

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Biochemical
engineering is basically
the large-scale
application of
biological processes.
It is a discipline that links
the biochemists with
the chemical
engineers.

Fermentor setup

Source: www.ntnu.no/bioteknologi/english/biochemical

It is the application of chemical

engineering principles and methods to
yield useful and beneficial products from
living cells or their components such as
microbes and enzymes.

Its study continues to be of growing

importance with the continuous
development of biotechnology.

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In addition to biochemical
engineering, bioprocess
engineering includes other
disciplinary studies (i.e.,
mechanical, electrical, and
industrial engineering)
detailed equipment design
sensor development
control algorithms
manufacturing strategies
httpwww.123rf.comphoto_16500072_abstract-word-cloud-for-mechanical-engineering-with-related-tags-and-terms.html

Lets consider a typical biological

process (bioprocess):

A typical biological process

Source: Dutta, R. Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering. India. 2008

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The role of biochemical engineers in the bioprocess is to

work hand in hand with the biochemists to consider the
following:

To obtain the best biological catalyst

(microorganism, plant cell, animal cell,

etc) for the process
To establish the best working environment
for the process (i.e., bioreactor design
and most efficient operating conditions)

The role of biochemical engineers in the bioprocess is to

work hand in hand with the biochemists to consider the
following:

To find the most efficient way of

separating the products

* The knowledge of basic biochemistry

knowledge as well as process design
development, are important to maintain
an economically viable bioprocess.

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Mild reaction conditions

1)

These processes usually occur at room

temperature, atmospheric pressure, and
neutral pH levels.
These processes are therefore relatively
simpler and less hazardous compared to
other typical chemical processes

Specificity

2)

Enzyme catalysts that are used are very

specific in catalyzing chemical reactions.

3) Effectiveness
- enzyme catalysts are relatively faster
than non-biological catalysts
4) Renewable resources
- biomass, which is the main raw material
for a bioprocess, already provides the
important components such as carbon
content and energy required for the
synthesis of the manufactured organic
chemical

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5) Recombinant DNA technology

- can offer a lot of improvement into the
various bioprocesses

1)

Complex product mixtures

- During cell cultivation, various enzymatic
reactions are occurring, leading to many
metabolic by-products, and some remnant of
the original nutrients

2)

Dilute aqueous environments

- Separation of the products formed from the
aqueous medium can be very difficult since
they are heat sensitive, and traditional
separation techniques are not applicable;
laboratory scale separation techniques need to
be scaled up.

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3) Contamination
- fermentation systems can easily be
contaminated, especially by environmental
bacteria and molds that can grow well in
most media; also, plant and animal cells
grow at a much smaller rate than these
components.
4) Variability
- some cells may mutate in the process,
which can cause them to lose the
important characteristics; also enzymes are
highly sensitive

"an enzymatically controlled

transformation of an organic compound"
- Webster's New College
Dictionary (A Merriam-Webster, 1977)
Is traditionally the production of alcohol
or lactic acid from sugar, particularly
glucose

Source: Dutta, R. Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering. India. 2008

8/15/2014

Shuler, M. and Kargi, F. Bioprocess

Engineering Basic Concepts 2nd Ed. USA.
2002.
Dutta, R. Fundamentals of Biochemical
Engineering. India. 2008

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