6.4.6(Other processes involving biotechnology)

State the conditions which need to be controlled in a fermenter

• Temperature

• Type and time of addition of the nutrient

• Oxygen concentration

• pH

• Concentration of product

Describe the role of a steam inlet in a fermenter vessel

• Sterilises the fermenter by providing steam,

• ensuring a sterile environment for growth to prevent contamination

Describe the role of a nutrient inlet in a fermenter vessel

• Sterile nutrients enter the fermenter

• Growth and reproduction of microorganisms

Describe the role of a water jacket in a fermenter vessel

• Maintains constant internal temperature

• Microorganisms grow best at optimum temp

Describe the role of an air inlet in a fermenter vessel

• Oxygen source for aerobic respiration

Describe the role of an air inlet filter in a fermenter vessel

• Prevents microorganism contamination

• Aseptic precaution

Describe the role of stirring paddles in a fermenter vessel

• Keeps the mixture aerated

• Mixes microorganisms and nutrients

• Keeps temperature even

Describe what is meant by batch culture

• Microorganisms are grown in individual batches

• When one culture ends it is removed and fermentation tank is emptied

Give examples of batch culture

• Penicillin production

• Enzyme production

Describe what is meant by continous cultyre

• Microorganisms are continually grown in a fermentation vessel without stopping

• Nutrients are put in and waste products taken out of at a constant rate

Give examples of continuous culture

• Insulin production from GM E.Coli

• Production of mycoprotein(SCP)

Describe what is meant by primary metabolites and give some examples

• Produced during active cell growth when excess of nutrients available using continuous culture

• examples: Amino acids, Nucleotides, Enzymes

Describe what is meant by secondary metabolites and give some examples

• Accumulate when nutrients are availability is limited using batch culture

• They are produced after the main growth phase

• Production begins at the start of the stationary phase

• Examples: Many antibiotics

Describe what is meant by asepsis

• Ensuring sterile conditions are maintained

Describe the importance of Asepsis

• Asepsis is crucial in preventing contamination of microorganisms to allow for maximum yield of useful products, no competition for nutrients and space and keep the product pure