Application of Biotechnology in Industry

Metabolite Production:  Microorganisms produce a number of metabolites during their growth phase  using cheap substrates. Biotechnology can use genetically modified organism to produce desirable products. We can produce Alcohol, Antibiotics, Enzymes, Hormones, Proteins, Organic acids,  Vitamins and Minerals.

Biomass production: Genetically modified microorganisms employed to enhance the availability of nutrients, such as  nitrogen (by fixing atmospheric nitrogen) and phosphorus (by solublizing soil phosphorus), to the crops are called biofertilizers. Genetically modified Rhizobium spp., Blue-green Algae,  Azolla, Azotobacter and Azospirillum are efficient biofertilizer .

Waste treatment : Generally microbes can modify the waste product into the simple non toxic product. We can use genetically modified microorganisms for waste treatment purposes and to produce a valuable metabolic product from it.

Recovery of metals: Genetically modified microbes can be employed to recover valuable metals from low grade ores and also from dilute solutions for which the conventional metallurgical processes are uneconomical and, generally, rather polluting. Example-Desulphurization of Coals by Thiobacillus spp.

Production of biocontrol agents: Use of genetically modified microorganisms to control insect pests, pathogens or weeds constitutes biological control, and the biological agents employed for this purpose are called biocontrol agents. Bioinsecticides, biopesticides and bioherbicides are biocontrol agents.

Fermentation of food products: Fermentation is called old Biotechnology. But now ethanol is produced by fermenting grain through genetically modified microorganisms for high performance. Cellulose enzyme technology allows conversion of crop residues (stems, leaves and hulls) to ethanol. We can use this product as a biofuel that can reduce carbon-di-oxide emissions by more than 90% (compared to oil). Biotechnology allows for greater domestic energy production and it uses a renewable feedstock.

Benefits of Industrial Biotechnology: The benefits of industrial biotechnology are low input of substrate, high rate of output, friendly to the environment, renewable and increased efficiency.

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