A bit of Ch 9 and 28 Applied, Industrial and Biotechnical Microbiology

Microbial manufacturing

Biotechnology Defined
The Use of microorganisms, cells, or cell components to make a product. 1/5th of the manufacturing Jobs in the Bay area are Biotechnology related.

Microorganisms represent an almost limitless supply of enzymatic reactions

May reduce the risks and complexities of industrial syntheses Is less expensive By-products are usually less toxic Used in environmental cleanup (In situ)

Commercial production of Microorganisms

Fermentation projects (Beer and Wine) Biomass where the physical structure of the microbe is wanted
Baking yeast Edible forms of bacteria (spirulina) Single-cell protein SCP
May concentrate toxic compounds Nucleic acids in large numbers are toxic

Biotransformation (Bioconversion)
Transformation of a chemical added to the medium into a commercially valuable compound

Fermenter
Are structures designed to optimize the growth conditions of the specific organisms that we want
Control oxygen, ph, medium, temperature and nutrients antifoaming Stirred tank reactor Air lift reaction

Fermentation Technology

Figure 28.10

Two types of ways to grow

Continuous fermentation Batch culturing What are the advantages and disadvantages of each Mixed culture fermentation

Bioconversions
Example, bioconversion of steroids
Chemical synthesis requires 37 steps Bioconversion requires 11 steps, reduces the cost and shortens the time of manufacturing.

How these processes work Use of immobilized cells (cells localized in a matrix and the chemical is converted as it flows pas the column

Microorganism and Agriculture

Ice-minus bacteria
Pseudomonas syringae promote ice formation at 2C Scientists have used biotechnology to remove the gene and these ice-strains can be sprayed on and colonize. Is genetically altered EPA has stated that these bacteria use for biological control decrease the presence of wild type bacteria and this must be registered as pesticides. Will greatly increase the cost of these products

 Frost Technologies corporation registered with EPA a mixture of naturally occurring bacteria

Microbial pesticides
Why? Troubles with DDT
Resistance by insects Biological magnification Long half life banned in 1972

Microbial pesticides represent a biodegradable way to control insects

Over 100 microbial pathogens have been identified for insets These can be genetically altered to increase their potentency The genes for these toxins can be placed in our food plants.

One such item

Bacillus thuringiensis produces a toxin (BT toxin) that is toxic to certain types of insect larvae that feed on plants. Drawback only occur in sporulating cells. Genes were transferred to Pseudomonas and are produced all the time. Work is underway to increase the range of these toxins and to stabilize the toxins.

Baculovirus are invertebrate specific DNA viral proteins

Has narrow host range Organism continues to feed for a time after it is infected.

Products from Microorganisms

Primary Metabolites Amino Acids Vitamins Polysaccharides Ethanol Acetone and Butanol Secondary Metabolites Antibiotics Pigments Toxins Alkaloids Many pharmacological compounds

Primary metabolites
Are produced during an organisms growth phase

Primary Fermentation

Figure 28.11a

Secondary metabolites
Are not essential to cell growth or function.

Secondary Fermentation

Figure 28.11b

Enzyme products
Enzyme Lipase Lactase Protease Use Enhances flavor in cheese making Lactose free milk products Detergent additive, clear beer

-Amylase
Pectinase TPA

High fructose corn syrup

Reduces cloudiness in wine/juice Tissue Plasminogen Activator, dissolves blood clots

Fuels
Hydrogen from species of Clostridium and Chlorella Ethanol (High cost of input, only 12% conversion)
High temp fermenter Use of green waste

Plastics
Use of living organism to make complex polymers Would all be biodegradable Poly beta hydroxyalkanoate

Metal Extraction
Extraction of specific metals from flowing water or oceans Use of specific transport proteins to remove certain chemicals

Biological Leaching of Copper Ores

Figure 28.14a

What can microorganisms do.

Microbes can do all the things that we currently use chemistry and energy to do, we just do not know how to use the microbes yet. In the future we will use microorganism to

 Convert waste into usable items like energy and food. Harvest metals from the oceans Clean toxic waste Deal with hazardous materials that currently cannot be contained.

Summary
We are on a new verge of discovery, same as the one we went through 5000 years ago, how can we use microbes, just like with animal and plant husbandry to make our lives easier.

Preserving our Food

A public health process is preserving our food. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system
Safeguard food from farm to fork Designed to prevent contamination Identifying where contamination can occur Requires monitoring
Temperature For Microbes

Food Microbiology
Preserving food is synonymous with preventing growth of microorganisms

Modern types of food preservation

Canning
Steam under pressure Use Clostridium botulinum as a test organism Some endospores or thermopiles can survive commercial sterilization

Aseptic Packaging
Sterile contents are added to sterile containers in an aseptic manner

Food Preservation
Presterilized materials assembled into packages and aseptically filled (Aseptic packaging) Gamma radiation kills bacteria, insects, and parasitic worms High-energy electrons

Figure 28.4

Radiation and Industrial food preservation

Gamma radiation can be used to sterilize food, kill insects and parasitic worms, and prevent the sprouting of fruits and vegetables

Discussion
The Role of the FDA? http://www.fda.gov/ see video on anatomy of an outbreak