WHITE

BIOTECHNOLOG
Y

INDUSTRIA
L
BIOTECH
INDUSTRIAL
BIOTECH
It is the use of microorganisms and enzymes to produce goods for industry, including
chemicals, plastics, food, agricultural and pharmaceutical products and energy carriers.
Renewable raw materials and increasingly also waste from agriculture and forestry are used
for the manufacture of industrial goods.
Why is it often reffered as

white biotechnology?

It is more on the collection of scientific techniques and technologies used to improve both
the efficiency and environmental foot print of modern industrial production.
 What is the association of Microbial

Technology to Industrial Biotech?

• It is the CORE of Industrial Biotechnology.

• It refers to the use of microbes to obtain a product or service of economic value. It is also
called as “FERMENTATION”
 Why are microorganisms suitable

and useful in industrial

biotechnology?

 they have very simple genetic structure that can easily be manipulated to assume new abilities and form.
 they have simple nutritional needs that are easily met.
 they can be produced in large numbers because they have high growth and multiplication rates which can easily be
controlled.
 the ability to grow and multiply fast result in higher yields and specificity of product and conventinal processes.
 they have the ability to produce certain complex chemicals such as hormones and antibiotics which are difficult to
produce through other conventional industrial means.
 they are active at lower temperature than conventional industrial procedures leading to savings in cost energy.
 APPLICATION OF
BIOTECH IN
INDUSTRY
1. FOOD AND DRINK
2. BIOFUELS
3. MICROBIAL MINING
4. WASTE AND OIL SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT
5. BIOLOGICAL DETERGENT
6. AGRICULTURE
 FOOD AND DRINK

 Biotechnologists have designed and build bioreactors or fermenters which are chambers
which are microorganisms are cultured in a liquid or solid medium.
 Fermentation takes place in the bioreactors and the designed products are either the cells
e.g. yeast or some enzymes, drugs and alcohol. The fermentation of milk produces
several dairy products which include cheese, butter, yoghurt and sour cream.
 SINGLE CELL PROTEIN (SCP) - is a new source of food and it is protein obtained from
large scale of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. It is useful source of
minerals , vitamins and fats.
 BIOFUELS

 The search has focused on using living organisms and biological processes as sources of
fuel especially ethanol and biogas.
 ETHANOL - fuel using sugar cane as raw material.
 BIOGAS - fermentation of waste materials by bacteria and other microbes. The waste
materials usually used are animal manure, sewage sludge, domestic waste, food waste,
paper waste and plant waste. Water hyacinth, a plant that causes blockage of waterways
have fermented to produce biogas.
 MIRCROBIAL
MINING

 Microorganisms are becoming important tools in the extraction of metals from their ores.
 Bacterial leaching is used throughout the world as an additional technique of extracting
metals from ores.
 The bacteria convert insoluble metal to soluble metal compounds from which the metal
can easily be extracted.
 Bioleaching is less expensive compared to conventional mining methods.
 The danger, cost and environmental damages with conventional mining is avoided.
 WASTE AND OIL

SPILLAGE MANAGEMentT

 Microorganisms have come to the rescue of man in clearing up the wastes generated by
his activities.
 Biotechnologists are attempting to produce genetically modified bacteria capable of
cleaning up oil spill.
 When sprayed on surfaces polluted by oil, the bacteria is capable of breaking down the
four main groups of hydrocarbon present into oil into harmless soluble compounds.
 BIOLOGICAL
DETERGENT

 Enzymes which are biological catalyst found in living cells are being used as washing
powders
 They have the ability of removing stains of biological origin.
 Example: Enzymes such as proteases which remove stains of protein origin, amylases
remove starch stain and lipases digest fat, oil and grease stains.
 AGRICULTURE

 BIO-FORTIFICATION OF CASSAVA - scientists have introduced new genes in cassava plant to

produce more vitamins, minerals, proteins and fibers. A single meal of this fortfied cassava a day can
provide the energy and nutrients needed for that day.
 INSECT CONTROL - The tomato plant has been engineered to be resistant to be attacked by insect
caterpillar such as tomato hornworm. Scientist inserted a gene isolated from soil bacteria into
tomotoes chromosome. This gene produces a protein that converts an enzymes in the caterpillar’s
stomach into a poison which causes paralysis and death of the caterpillar.
 NITROGEN FIXATION - Nitrogen is an important element needed by plants for production of
proteins. Legumes have the capability to produce its nitogen that is why scientists initiated in
transferring gene responsible in fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
 ADVANTAGES

 It produce wide range of products (chemicals, materials, food, bevearges, biofuels and biodrugs) from bio-based raw materials.
 It can reduce environmental impact by using biomass as an alternative to fossil resources for manufacturing bioproducts, biofuels and
biopolymers.
 By developing fermentation techniques and using and designing new bioreactors, as well as genetic engineering techniques, it have been
able to obtain products that have huge economic impact on the industry, as they are less expensive and more environmentally friendly
tahn their counterparts made with chemical synthesis.
 It boosts productivity while using fewer resources.
 It promotes rural economy by creating new markets for agricultural crops, offeringnew alternatives for land use and to take advantage of
waste.
 Thanks For
Your Attention
Any Question?