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Introduction to Industrial Microbiology

  • Industrial Microbiology focuses on the application of microorganisms in industrial processes.

  • It encompasses fermentation technology, which is used for producing valuable products including antibiotics, enzymes, biofuels, fermented foods, and bioplastics.

  • The field involves the manipulation and large-scale cultivation of microbes to enhance efficiency in various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biotechnology.

Learning Outcomes

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

  • Provide an overview of industrial microbiology and fermentation technology.

  • Discuss the historical development and highlights of industrial microbiology.

  • Define and detail the major steps involved in water purification and wastewater treatment.

Components of Industrial Microbiology

  • Tools and equipment like sensors for temperature and pH, nutrient addition systems, and cooling jackets are integral to the fermentation process.

  • Microorganisms such as Rhizopus nigricans are cultivated for various products, with key metrics like biomass and antibiotic yields tracked throughout fermentation.

Culturing Methods

Batch Culturing

  • A technique to grow microorganisms in a limited nutrient environment, causing nutrient depletion over time.

  • Suitable for producing secondary metabolites (e.g., antibiotics).

  • Has defined phases: lag, log, and stationary phases occurring as fermentation progresses.

Continuous Culturing

  • A method that continuously supplies nutrients, allowing for ongoing growth and production.

  • Better suited for producing primary metabolites such as organic acids and amino acids.

  • Maintains a stable internal environment throughout the fermentation process.

Similarities Between Batch and Continuous Culturing

  • Both methods serve the purpose of growing microorganisms for research and industrial applications.

  • Environmental controls (temperature, pH, oxygen) are optimized to attain favorable growth.

  • Inoculation with a starter culture is essential in both methods.

Differences Between Batch and Continuous Culturing

System Type

  • Batch Culture: A closed system with nutrient addition at the start and changes in internal conditions over time.

  • Continuous Culture: An open system with continuous nutrient addition, maintaining a stable environment throughout the process.

Nutrient Dynamics

  • Batch culture sees nutrients become limiting, while continuous culture maintains ample nutrients for prolonged cultivation.

Phases of Growth

  • Batch culture includes distinct growth phases; continuous culture often maintains lag and log phases consistently.

Operational Characteristics

  • Yield: Batch cultures yield lower product quantities compared to the higher yields typical of continuous cultures.

  • Turnover Rate: Low in batch cultures; high in continuous cultures due to ongoing product removal.

Labor and Contamination Risks

  • Labor demand is generally higher for continuous cultures due to their complexity.

  • The contamination risk is lower in batch cultures as opposed to the higher risks associated with continuous cultures.