Bioreactors and Downstream Processing
Stirred-tank and sparged bioreactors, separation, purification and quality control. (Biology › Biotechnology — Principles and Processes, NEET UG syllabus.)
What is Bioreactors and Downstream Processing?
A large vessel designed to carry out biological processes on an industrial scale, providing optimal conditions for cell growth and product formation.
Key points
- Describe the structure and function of different types of bioreactors.
- Explain the importance of maintaining optimal conditions in a bioreactor.
- Outline the various steps involved in downstream processing.
- Identify the purpose of each step in downstream processing.
Common exam trap
Confusing the function of an agitator with a sparger.
Definitions
- Term
Bioreactor
- Meaning
A large vessel designed to carry out biological processes on an industrial scale, providing optimal conditions for cell growth and product formation.
- Term
Stirred-tank bioreactor
- Meaning
A common type of bioreactor equipped with an agitator system for uniform mixing and aeration, along with systems for temperature, pH, and foam control.
- Term
Sparger
- Meaning
A device in a bioreactor that bubbles air or other gases into the culture medium to provide oxygen for aerobic processes.
- Term
Downstream Processing
- Meaning
The series of steps involved in the recovery, purification, and formulation of a biotechnological product after the initial biosynthesis in a bioreactor.
- Term
Aseptic conditions
- Meaning
Conditions maintained free from contamination by unwanted microorganisms, crucial for successful biotechnological processes.
Learning objectives
Describe the structure and function of different types of bioreactors.
Explain the importance of maintaining optimal conditions in a bioreactor.
Outline the various steps involved in downstream processing.
Identify the purpose of each step in downstream processing.
Appreciate the significance of quality control in biotechnological product development.
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of microbial growth and metabolism.
Knowledge of enzymes and their functions.
Familiarity with recombinant DNA technology principles.
Common mistakes
Confusing the function of an agitator with a sparger.
Forgetting the importance of aseptic conditions throughout the entire process.
Not understanding the sequential nature of downstream processing steps.
Overlooking the role of quality control in the final product's marketability.
Misidentifying components of a stirred-tank bioreactor.
Keywords
Bioreactor
Stirred-tank
Sparger
Agitator
Downstream Processing
Separation
Purification
Formulation
Quality Control
Aseptic
Practice preview
What is the primary purpose of a bioreactor in biotechnology?…
easy
What is typically the first step in downstream processing after the completion of the bioreaction?…
easy
A biotechnologist observes that the pH of the culture medium in a bioreactor is continuously dropping. Which system in the bioreactor would be activated to counteract this change and maintain optimal conditions?…
medium