Industrial Biotechnology and its Everyday Uses

What is industrial biotechnology?

Industrial biotechnology utilizes microorganisms and various enzymes in order to manufacture industrial products; these include agricultural and pharmaceutical products, chemicals, plastics, and energy carriers.

Industrial biotechnology has its uses in many products that are utilized in everyday life sciences consulting.

Alcohol production is one of the most basic applications of industrial biotechnology.

For instance, beer is made from water, a starch source such as barley, brewer’s yeast, and a flavoring agent such as hops. Alcohol fermentation is a process in which some types of bacteria and some microorganisms are used to transform sugar into ethyl and carbon dioxide. Yeast typically facilitates this process by acting as a fermenting agent. It can operate under aerobic conditions. However, under anaerobic conditions, fermentation takes place in the cytosol of yeast.

Industrial biotechnology also has an application in the production of biofuels.

Biofuels are manufactured when sugars are derived from plants and converted into ethanol. Oil extracted from plants is also converted into biodiesel. Certain crops such as corn, sugar beet, wheat are utilized for the said purposes. These biofuels are mixed with petrol, the introduction of these fuels can reduce the hazardous impact of carbon emissions. On the other hand, aviation fuel is also being manufactured through similar methods in order to safeguard the effect on the environment.

Certain cells and enzymes are used to make biotech products.

For example certain enzymes are utilized in detergents, processed food products and cosmetics.

Plastics are manufactured from biopolymers.

Biopolymers are used to create packaging for shampoos and lotions and play a role in developing plastic food packaging, bags, mobile cases, bottles, crockery, straws, etc.

Dyes used in the manufacturing of clothes are also biotechnology products.

They are derived from natural resources like plants and insects and are used in the clothing industry.

Polyester is another biotechnology product used in textile industries.

Polymer is a polyester, which is utilized to manufacture clothes and other types of fabrics like hats, sheets, blankets, conveyor belts, package cushioning, etc.

Bioleaching, Use of microorganisms, and genetic biotechnology

It is a process in which metals are extracted from their ores by using a microorganism, the most common application is in the extraction from uranium ore.

Enzymes are also used in meat tenderizing and also in clinical application. There are certain transgenic plants utilized in the production of chemicals, wax, and antibodies.

Certain microorganisms produce enzymes that help in breaking down natural fibres like cellulose, wood, and pulp. One such enzyme is xylanase

In the field of medicine

There are specific genetic markers that are used to detect malignancies in certain parts of the body, including breasts, colon, and prostate. Certain mental illnesses are identified through studying gene suppression and activation. Most often, these diseases comprise schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Furthermore, biotechnology consulting firms can also be used in safe organ transplantation and make the immune system more receptive.

Conclusion

All in all, industrial biotechnology has multiple applications across various spectrums of everyday life. As time passes, bioengineers and scientists are exploring multiple new avenues for newer applications of biotechnology.