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Related Concept Videos

Bioreactor Controls-III01:22

Bioreactor Controls-III

Strain improvement is a foundational strategy in industrial microbiology aimed at maximizing microbial productivity, particularly because natural isolates typically yield commercially valuable products in very low concentrations. Although optimizing the culture medium and environmental conditions can improve yields, these adjustments are inherently limited by the organism’s genetic potential. As a result, the focus shifts toward genetic modifications to enhance biosynthetic capacity. The...
Production of Alcohol01:27

Production of Alcohol

Continuous fermentation is a key strategy in industrial ethanol production, particularly when efficiency, scalability, and high yields are essential. This approach allows for uninterrupted operation and optimized resource utilization. The primary feedstock, corn starch, undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis facilitated by α-amylase and glucoamylase. These enzymes break down the starch into fermentable sugars such as glucose, which are readily assimilated by fermentative microorganisms.Fermentation...
Upstream Processing01:27

Upstream Processing

Upstream processing represents a critical phase in biomanufacturing, wherein biological systems such as microorganisms, mammalian cells, or insect cells are cultivated to produce therapeutic proteins, vaccines, enzymes, or other biologically derived products. This phase encompasses all steps from the selection and genetic manipulation of the production organism to the cultivation of cells in bioreactors under tightly controlled environmental conditions.Host Selection and Genetic OptimizationThe...
Scale-Up Processes01:14

Scale-Up Processes

The scale-up of microbial fermentation processes is essential in industrial biotechnology, allowing the transition from laboratory-scale experiments to commercial-scale production while aiming to maintain product yield and quality. This process requires meticulous adjustment of equipment design, process parameters, and contamination control strategies to accommodate increasing culture volumes.At the laboratory scale, cultures are typically maintained in 1 to 10-liter glass or autoclavable...
Bioreactor Controls-II01:18

Bioreactor Controls-II

In aerobic fermentations, oxygen is vital for microbial growth and metabolite production. Since air comprises only about 20% oxygen and the gas is poorly soluble in water—just 9 ppm at 20°C—supplying sufficient oxygen becomes a critical challenge, especially in high-demand processes like yeast growth or citric acid production. Even a fully saturated broth may offer only a few seconds of oxygen availability.To address this, sterile or scrubbed air is introduced into the fermentor via a sparger...
Bioreactor Design and Operational System01:29

Bioreactor Design and Operational System

Bioreactors are engineered vessels designed to cultivate microorganisms under controlled conditions for industrial bioprocessing. They maintain sterility and allow precise regulation of pH, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient levels to optimize microbial growth and metabolite production. Bioreactors range from small laboratory units of 1 liter to industrial systems holding up to 500,000 liters, though only about 75% of their volume is actively used for fermentation. The remaining headspace...

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Related Experiment Video

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Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
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Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol

Published on: October 24, 2016

Strain improvement and process development for biobutanol production.

Shailesh Kharkwal1, Iftekhar A Karimi, Matthew Wook Chang

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117576.

Recent Patents on Biotechnology
|September 15, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Biobutanol is a promising biofuel alternative. This review covers patented inventions and research on microbial strains and fermentation for enhanced biobutanol production, addressing current challenges.

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Renewable Energy
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Biobutanol is a sustainable biofuel with desirable properties.
  • Significant research focuses on its biological production for competitiveness.
  • Patented inventions aim to improve efficiency, economy, and scale.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review patented inventions and research for biobutanol production.
  • To highlight advancements in microbial strains and fermentation processes.
  • To discuss current challenges in strain improvement for biobutanol.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of patented inventions.
  • Analysis of research achievements in microbial strain development.
  • Examination of fermentation process optimization strategies.

Main Results:

  • Numerous patented inventions exist for biobutanol production.
  • Progress has been made in enhancing microbial strains and fermentation.
  • Key challenges in strain improvement persist.

Conclusions:

  • Biobutanol production is advancing through patented technologies and research.
  • Further strain improvement is crucial for optimizing biobutanol yield and efficiency.
  • Addressing current challenges will enhance biobutanol's role as a biofuel.