Biotechnology and Industry

(A Science Report Project)

Submitted by:
DIONNE CAREL P. RONQUILLO
KIARA YSOBELLE CARRAO
STEAVEN GONZALES
Grade 9 Students

Submitted to:
Mr. GLENN V. MENDOZA
Biotechnology Teacher

ABULUG SCHOOL OF FISHERIES

Abulug, Cagayan

JUNE 2023
INTRODUCTION

What is Biotechnology?

- At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based on biology.

What is Industry?

- The economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and

manufacture of goods in factories.

White Biotechnology

- White Biotechnology focuses on the production and processing of chemicals,

materials and energy using living cells, such as yeast, fungi, bacteria, plants and

enzymes for the industrial scale synthesis of products.

APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY

Application 1: Improvement in Fermentation Products

This achievement can be done in different ways – by selection of improved strain, by

transgene application into the microorganism, by using cheaper raw material, by manipulation of

medium constituent as well as by simulation of the reactor (adjustment of different cultural

conditions like pH, temp., etc.).

 Products of microbial fermentation include primary metabolites, secondary metabolites,

enzymes, proteins, capsular polysaccharides and cellular biomass (single cell protein).

Fermentation is an ancient technique of preserving food.

Fermentation is a natural process through which microorganisms like yeast and bacteria

convert carbs — such as starch and sugar — into alcohol or acids.

Common Fermented Foods are the following:

1. Cheese

2. Yogart

3. Wine

Application 2: Microbial Production of Synthetic Fuels

Important fuels can be produced by using many microbes which include ethanol,

methane, hydrogen and hydrocarbons.

The production of biofuels via microbial biotechnology is a very active field of research.

A range of fuel molecule types are currently under consideration: alcohols, ethers, esters,

isoprene, alkenes and alkanes.

Application 3: Microbial Mining or Bioleaching

The process of bioleaching recovers metals from ores which are not suitable for direct

smelting because of their low content. The application of bioleaching process is of particular
interest in case of uranium ore. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is the commonest organism which is

involved in case of copper and uranium ore processing.

Bioleaching (or biomining) is a process in mining and biohydrometallurgy (natural

processes of interactions between microbes and minerals) that extracts valuable metals from a

low-grade ore with the help of microorganisms such as bacteria or archaea.

Some Advantages of Bioleaching are the following:

1. Bioleaching can stabilize sulphate toxins from the mine without causing harm to

the environment.

2. Poisonous sulfur dioxide emissions harm the environment and can cause health

problems for miners, and bioleaching avoids this process entirely.

3. Bioleaching is more cost-effective than smelting processes.

4. Some Bioleaching offers a different way to extract valuable metals from low-

grade ores that have already been processed.

Application 4: Microbial Biomass and Single Cell Protein Production

Microbial product of commercial significance is the microbial biomass (the microbial

cells themselves), e.g., commercially produced yeast cells, bacteria (Methylophilus

methylotrophus), flavoring cheese from fungal biomass (Penicillium roqueforti).

Single cell proteins are the dried cells of microorganisms such as algae, certain bacteria,

yeasts, moulds and some higher fungi. The protein percentages for various single cell proteins

are high.
Application 5: Production of Enzymes and Human Proteins

Enzymes are proteins comprised of amino acids linked together in one or more

polypeptide chains. This sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain is called the primary

structure. This, in turn, determines the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme, including the

shape of the active site.

Enzymes used for industrial applications are produced by controlled and contained

fermentation in large closed fermentation tanks, using a well-defined production strain. These

production strains grow under very specific conditions to maximize the amount of enzyme that

they produce.

Industrial uses of Enzymes are the following:

1. In Dairy Industry – It is the traditional user of enzymes foe the production and

improvement of cheese, yogurt, and other milk products.

2. In Detergent Industry – Enzymes have significantly contributed to the

effectiveness of detergents and have also contributed to move environmentally

adapted washing and cleaning.

3. In Starch Industry - Enzymes for Starch Processing is a process to recover starch

from plant sources which contain starch, such as Corn, Potatoes, Wheat, Cassava,

Rice and Sorghum. In this process, wet milling of grain followed by slurry

formation takes place.

4. In Brewing and Wine Industry

Application 6: Production of Secondary Metabolites from Cultured Plant Cell

In recent years it has been shown that spectrum of compounds can be produced in culture

which is beyond the ability of whole plants. By using different precursors several novel

compounds of biomedical importance can be obtained.

Plant cell cultures represent a potential source of valuable secondary metabolites which

can be used as food additives, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. The synthesis of

phytochemicals by the cell cultures in contrast to these in plants is independent of environmental

conditions and quality fluctuations.

Secondary metabolites have complex chemical composition and are produced in response

to various forms of stress to perform different physiological tasks in plants. They are used in

pharmaceutical industries, cosmetics, dietary supplements, fragrances, flavors, dyes, etc.

Application 7: Molecular Farming for Healthcare Products

Molecular farming is the production of pharmaceutically important and commercially

valuable proteins in plants. Its purpose is to provide a safe and inexpensive means for the mass

production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins.

The production of antibodies in transgenic plants is a particularly useful example of

molecular farming, since antibodies are multi-sub-unit glycoproteins that are used diagnostically

and therapeutically in humans.

CONCLUSION

What is the role of Biotechnology in the Industry?

Biotechnological processing uses enzymes and microorganisms to produce products that

are useful to a broad range of industrial sectors, including chemical and pharmaceutical, human

and animal nutrition, pulp and paper, textiles, energy, materials and polymers, using renewable

raw materials.

What is the main role of Biotechnology in Industries?

Biotechnology provides tools for adapting and modifying the biological organisms,

products, processes and systems found in nature to develop processes that are eco-efficient and

products that are not only more profitable but also more environment-friendly.

REFERENCES

Archive Biology https://archive.bio.org/articles/what-industrial-biotechnology

Biology Discussion https://www.biologydiscussion.com/biotechnology/applications-

biotechnology/applications-of-biotechnology-in-industry-and-healthcare/39256

Application of biotechnology in industry https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=eW_46Q0e8QY&feature=youtu.be