• Submitted to:Dr.

Aisha Waheed
• Submitted by:Hajra Ashraf (BSBT/FA_17/015)
• Semester:6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………..3
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN
AGRICULUTURE………………………………………………………………3

• Bt RICE
• Bt COTTON
• COTTON SEED OIL
• TRANSGENIC CROP
• BIOFERTLILIZERS
• BIOPESTICIDES
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN
ENVIRONMENT……………………………………………………………………………….6

• BIOMINING
• CONTROLLING SPILLING:
• COAL BIO-DESULFURIZATION
• BIOCOMPOSTING AND GENERATION OF METHANE FROM SUGAR
MILLS AND DISTILLERY WASTE

INDUSTRIAL MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY………………….7

• CITRIC ACID
• LYSINE
• BIOETHANOL
REFERENCES………………………………………………………..8
 SIGNIFICANCE OF MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ECONOMIC
DEVEPLOMENT OF PAKISTAN

Introduction:
Biotechnology is generally defined as application of living systems based technologies to develop
commercial processes and products. Over the last few decades, several fundamental discoveries in life
sciences have given rise to Modern Biotechnology which is now one of the fastest growing areas of
science; hence this century has rightly been termed as ‘Century of Biology’ (Malik, 2014). By virtue of
being multidisciplinary in nature, the scope and opportunities of Biotechnology are wide and varied in the
areas of agriculture, industry, food and beverages, health, environment, and energy.

The importance and potential of biotechnology was realized as far back as 1959 when Pakistan's first
Commission on Science and Technology emphasized the need for setting up research organizations in
areas of vital importance to national development. Biotechnology has since been promoted in practically
every science policy document. Pakistan's commitment to this field has been reflected in a separate
allocation of the development budget to biotechnology in the Eighth and Ninth five year Plans.
(Tabassumet al., 2012,)

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN

AGRICULUTURE:
Pakistan is an agriculture base state. Agriculture remains the dominant sector of the economy and accounts
for about 24 percent of GDP, half the employed labor force, and a large share of foreign exchange earnings.
Microbial biotechnology has considerable potential for promoting the efficiency of crop improvement,
food production, and poverty reduction, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Developing
genetically modified (GM) crops to meet the requirement of increasing population in Pakistan, most of
the activities have been on rice and cotton, which are among the top 5 crops of Pakistan. Biotic
(virus/bacterial/insect) and a-biotic (salt) resistant and quality (male sterility) genes have already been
incorporated in some crop plants.(Tabassumet al.,2012)

BT Rice:

Bt Rice will reduce yield losses caused by caterpillar pests, the most important of which are the yellow
stem borer, in Pakistan and other parts of Asia and the striped stem borer, in temperate areas. Average
yield losses to stem borers in Asia are often estimated at 5%, and vary from region to region. In some
areas, stem borers are among the major constraints on yield, while in others they occur at levels too low
to cause yield loss. Similarly in Pakistan a bacterial disease “Blight” reduce substantial yield in Basmati
rice which causes economical loses about.

In Pakistan average yield of conventional rice per acre is around 30 – 45 maund or 1,235.00 – 1,852.00
Kg. Bt Rice in Pakistan can increase per acre yield from 20 to 30 per cent. By the introduction of the Bt
rice in Pakistan could result in a substantial reduction in insecticide use on rice and better control over
disease like Stem Borers and Blight. This would mean enormous benefit to rice growers and whole
economy, apart from the favorable impact on the environment and increase in rice yield.

Bt Cotton:
Pakistan is a key player in global cotton markets. As the world’s 3rd largest producer of yarn
and 2nd largest exporter, the 7th largest producer of cloth and3rd largest exporter (ICAC, USA), Pakistan’s
cotton and cotton products account for nearly 60% of its overseas earnings. Though the cultivation of cotton
plants accounts for less than10% of value-added in agriculture and about 2% of Pakistan’s GDP, Pakistan’s
economy is heavily reliant on cotton and its derivatives (Bakhsh et al., 2009; Sial et al., 2014).

In Pakistan, unofficial cultivation of Bt. (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton was started by some progressive
farmers at the beginning of the21st century. Bt. cotton was officially approved by the government in 2009
and the first crop cultivated in 2010. Prior to approval by the government agencies, illegal imports and
unapproved genotype cultivation led to the distribution of substandard seeds bearing the label Bt. cotton
(Ahsan and Altaf, 2009). At present more than 85% of the area under cotton is planted with Bt. cotton.
From 2010 to 2014 a total of 15 Bt cotton varieties were approved for general cultivation in the country
.G. arboreum had six species out of which “bengalense” were cultivated in Pakistan (Rahman et al., 2012).
Gossypium hirsutum cultivation commenced in parallel to the sub-continent’s textile revolution in the
1930s (Rahman et al.,2008) and with the passage of time, cultivation has shifted to this species; G.
arboreum is now planted on less than 2% of the land used for cotton in Pakistan; a continued decrease is
expected.(Tassawar Hussain Malik and Muhammad Zahir Ahsan, 2016).

Cottonseed oil:

Pakistan also meets its 17.7% of edible oil requirements through cottonseed oil. Cotton is mainly cultivated
as a fiber source its kernel is also an important source of edible vegetable oil .Cottonseed oil also has a high
content of to coheres, natural antioxidants that contribute to the prolonged shelf-life of the product. These
natural antioxidants are retained at high levels in fried products and keep them fresh for longer period of
time. (Tassawar Hussain Malik and Muhammad Zahir Ahsan, 2016).

Transgenic Crops

Tissue culture, developed in the 1950s, became popular in the 1960. Micro-propagation and in vitro
conservation are standard techniques in most important crops. The first transgenic plant, a tobacco cultivar
resistant to an antibiotic, was reported in 1983. Transgenic crops with herbicide, virus or insect resistance
have been released in past decades. Agriculture scientists stressed the need to promote transgenic crops in
Pakistan, as the neighboring countries had adopted this technique and were obtaining manifold
productivity.(Tabassumet al.,2012)

Bio-fertilizers:
The potential of certain microorganisms to improve the availability of nutrients to crop plants has long
been known. In view of rise in the cost of chemical fertilizers and their adverse effects on the environment,
these microorganisms (collectively called bio-fertilizers) have become increasingly important. They are
considered to be particularly important for soils which are often deficient in organic matter and essential
plant nutrients, due to high temperatures and intense microbial activity. Most bio-fertilizers fix
atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia by a complex metabolic process. There are two types of bio-fertilizer:
symbiotic and free-living. The former, which requires symbiotic association with plants, are represented
by Rhizobium. The latter, which can fix nitrogen independently, include Azotobacter, Azospirillium, blue-
green algae (BGA) and Azolla. In addition several microorganisms from the rhizosphere of various crops
have been isolated and characterized which are responsible for producing growth hormones, mobilize
fixed phosphorus in soil and can act as biocontrol agents. Based on such bacteria, NIBGE (National
Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering) has produced a bio-fertilizer which is marketed
under the trade name of Bio-Power.(Malik,2014)

Bio-pesticides
The increasing use of chemical pesticides has become a growing concern in recent years in Pakistan, with
indications that their use will increase and intensify in the short term. It is therefore an urgent need that
we develop and promote the use of alternative methods of crop protection. It is particularly important that
efforts be made to substitute chemical pesticides with bio-pesticides, which are environmentally friendly.
Which means that, on the one hand, it will bring prosperity for Pakistani farmers, on the other, it will bring
a boom to all industries and business activities which are directly or indirectly associated with agriculture
sector.(Malik,2014)

Following are some of the important Bio-pesticides used in Pakistan for pest free yield :

• Trichogramma (egg parasitoid) to control lepidopteran pests, such as sugarcane internode borer
• Fungi (Trichoderma and Gliocladium) to control root rot and wilt disease in pulses
• Baculoviruses
• Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of Heliothis armigera for cotton, oil-seeds, pulses, vegetables and
millets
• NPV of tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) for tobacco and cotton
• Granulosis virus (GV) for sugarcane internode borer
• Bacillus thuringiensis for lepidopteran insect control
• Neem (Melia azaderechta): its various extracts have been marketed.(Malik,2014)

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ENVIRONMENT

Bio-mining:
Bio-mining of low grade Pakistani ores is another area ready for commercial application. In this regard
pilot scale model projects have been developed for biotechnological recovery of uranium, copper, gold,
etc. by using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and T. ferrooxidans. It has been estimated that the value of
recoverable quantities of different metals is about 6,000 Million US Dollars. For copper alone recovery of
the metal from Sandak (Balochistan province), over the burden, is worth about 80 Million US Dollars.
Adoption of these technologies on national level will yield a huge economic impact besides creating job
opportunities and fortifying Government’s efforts for poverty eradication.(Malik,2014)

Controlling spilling:
Genetically Modified Bacteria Colwellia, aromatic-eating Cycloclasticus, alkane-
eating Oceanospirillales,oil-eating Alcanovorax,methane-loving Methylococcaceae have been developed
to handle the environmental problems, such as treating of sewerage and oil spills, like from the Greek ship
MV Tasman Spirit at the Karachi port. The GM bacteria convert crude oil and gasoline into non-toxic
substances such as carbon dioxide, water and oxygen and help create a cleaner, healthier
environment.(Malik,2014)

Coal bio-desulfurization:
Coal bio-desulfurization is a highly attractive alternative for economic gains besides being an
environmental friendly technology. The NIBGE scientists have developed a coal desulfurization process
at pilot scale which has recently been handed over to the cement industry for commercial exploitation. It
has been estimated that this process is much cheaper and less labor intensive than the chemical and physical
processes being used at present. Desulfurization of coal by this process saves about 500 rupees per ton and
also enhances its calorific value to a great extent.(Malik,2014)

Bio-composting and Generation of Methane from Sugar Mills and Distillery Waste
Product Overview The crystallization of sucrose from sugarcane results into three main byproducts, namely
Biogases, Filter Cake and Molasses. Biogases is used as fuel in steam boilers, which in turn is converted
into mechanical and electrical energy. Filter Cake is the waste of sugar mills. It is produced during the
clarification process of sugarcane juices. It is about 3–4% of the total tonnage of sugarcane crushed. The
main utility of this waste was to burn it in the brick kilns. The disposal of this material remained problematic
as it was an environmental issue. The filter contains appreciable macro- and micro-nutrients and organic
matter and, thus, is quite beneficial as an organic manure for agricultural purposes. The sugar molasses is
the last remain of sugarcane juice from which recovery of sugar is not possible with normal conventional
process or it is uneconomical to get more sugar from it. The fermentation of the molasses results into basic
organic compound, i.e., Ethyl Alcohol and the waste is also spent wash (stillage). The spent wash is
enriched with micro- and macronutrients along with organic matter. One use of distillery spent wash is to
convert it to methane gas through anaerobic fermentation. This gas is desulphurized through
chemolithotrophic bacteria and then dehumidified before injecting into generators for producing electricity.
The Shaker Gang Sugar Mills, Jhang and Habib Sugar Mills, Nawabshah have been meeting all their
electricity requirements through such process and also are selling the extra electricity to the national grid.
There is a great scope for power generation if similar processes are installed in other sugar mills as well.
According to an estimate, such processes can generate nearly 1500 MW of electricity.(Malik,2014)

INDUSTRIAL MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Citric Acid
Aspergillus niger strains are available and have been extensively studied for production of Citric Acid. The
mutant organisms have been developed for application in mass production of Citric Acid. All conditions
have been optimized for hyper production of this product. However, further work is needed for mass
production of the product. Thus, the main target will be to upscale fermentation process for mass production
of citric acid. Pakistan is importing Citric Acid to meet its demand by spending around Rs. 100 Million per
annum. The demand for Citric Acid is on the rise. The indigenous product can substitute or finally replace
the imported one. This product will play a vital role in not only reducing foreign exchange spending but
will also in giving impetus to the local Biotechnology expertise.(Malik,2014)

Uses and Application

Main use of Citric Acid is in food industry, confectionary and beverages. Approximately 15% of Citric
Acid finds usage in chemical industry (removal of sulphur dioxide from flue gases of power stations, metal
smelters, metal platting, in detergents, tanning, and textiles) and 10% in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
(solvent and flavoring agent, effervescent with carboric acid, antioxidant and synergist).(Malik,2014)

Lysine
At NIBGE, Corynebacterium glutamicum strain is available and has been studied for production of Lysine.
The mutant organisms will be developed for application in mass production of this product. All conditions
will be optimized for hyper production of this product. No the main task is to upscale fermentation process
for mass production of Lysine. Pakistan imports Lysine to meet local demand of animal feed industry. To
meet the ever-increasing demand of Lysine, there is a need to indigenously produce the product that can
substitute and finally replace the imported one. Main use of Lysine is in food industry and animal feed.
Lysine is deficient in cereal-based animal feed and needs supplementation by imported
Lysine.(Malik,2014)

Bio-ethanol
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, can be used either as an alternative fuel or as an octane-boosting,
pollution-reducing additive to gasoline produced by two groups of microbes, saccharolytic and
ethanologenic, are important in ethanol production. The former makes sugar utilisation possible and the
latter converts the sugar to ethanol. Many promising or potential ethanologenic and saccharolytic microbes
fall within the respective phyla Ascomycota and Neocallimastigomycota for fungi, and Proteobacteria and
Fibrobacteres for bacteria. Saccharomyces sp. (Ascomycota) and Zymomonas mobilis (Proteobacteria) are
the only microbes naturally capable of producing ethanol close to theoretical maximum, with
Saccharomyces cerevisiae predominant for current ethanol production based on starch and sugar
feedstocks.. Motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) is a fast growing market worldwide. Ethanol is also a
feedstock for many chemical industries. The main raw material for bioethanol is molasses, a byproduct of
the sugar industry. Pakistan has nearly 80 sugar mills, out of which 20 mills have distilleries which make
commercial grade alcohol (ca. 96% ethanol). Only nine mills make power grade alcohol. Thus, there is a
great potential for enhancing this capacity. The Government has already initiated a pilot project for
blending gasoline with 10% alcohol (E10). Currently, a major portion of alcohol is being
exported.(Malik,2014)

REFERENCES:

• Ahsan R, Altaf Z. 2009. Development, adoption and performance of Bt. Cotton in Pakistan: a
review. Pak. J. Agric. Res. 22: 73–85.
• Bakhsh A, Rao AQ, Shahid AA, Husnain T, Riazuddin S. 2009.Insect resistance and risk assessment
studies in advance line of Bt. Cotton harboring Cry 1AC and Cry 2A genes. AmericanEurasian Journal of
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 6:1–11
• Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik,2014, Biotechnology in Pakistan Status and Prospects, Pakistan Academy
of Sciences.
• Rahman M, Shaheen T, Tabbasam N, Iqbal MA, Ashraf M, Zafar Y, Paterson AH. 2012. Genetic
resources in cotton and their improvement. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 32: 419–432.
• Rahman M, Tabassum N, Ullah I, Asif M, Zafar Y. 2008. Studying the extent of genetic diversity
among Gossypium arboreum L.genotypes/cultivars using DNA fingerprinting. Genetic Resources and
Crop Evolution 55: 331–339.