6.4.4(Biotechnology)

Define the term biotechnology

• Use of living organisms or parts of living organisms in industrial processes

Explain why microorganisms are use in biotechnology

• Can be grown on waste materials from other processes

• Can be genetically engineered

• Can grow quickly and can produce more yield per hour

• Safe to grow as temperatures and pressures are low

• Products are pure and easy to seperate

Give some examples of where micro organisms are used in Food

• (Brewer’s) yeast - for alcohol

• (Baker’s) yeast - for bread

• Lactobacillus - for cheese /yoghurt

• Fusarium - for mycoproteins

• Pectinase - from A. niger, a fungus. for fruit juice

• Aspergillus - yeast/for soya sauce

• fungal lactase - or lactose free milk

Give some examples of where microorganisms are used in pharmaceutical drugs

• Penicillin - antibiotics

• Insulin as a therapeutic protein - genetically modified bacteria

Give some examples of where microorganisms are used as enzymes

• Protease and lipase in washing powders

• Pectinase to extract juice from fruit

• Sucrase - digests sugar making food sweeter

• Amylase - digest starch into sugar - syrup in food production

• Protease to tenderise meat

• Lactase - make lactose free milk

Describe and explain the advantages of biotechnology

• low cost - many microorganisms require only low temperatures / nutrients for growth are cheap(waste materials)

• High yield due to fast growth - reproduce quickly

• Better for environment - Low energy requirement less fossil fuels burnt

• Can be produced in many locations - as they are not affected by climate

• Suitable food is more healthy - Low is cholesterol, high in protein