1. Classical Biotechnology

2. Classical Biotechnology
Application & refinement of fermentation techniques to industry. (use of cells or enzymes to produce large quantities of useful substances)
limited to chemicals/organisms produced in nature
Mass production of biotech products made possible by invention of fermenters (a.k.a. bioreactors), large growth chambers for cultivating cells.
Classical Biotechnology

3. Fermenters (Bioreactors)
In conjunction with aseptic technique and steam sterilization, can be used to produce huge variety of products.
Different products achieved by manipulating
1) species of microorganism
2) substrate fed to microbes
3) environmental conditions

4. Alcohol Breweries & distilleries
large scale alcohol production since early 1700’s.
1886 – process for making Brewer’s yeast refined – still in use today.

5. Vinegar Originally discovered by accident.
Wine allowed to sit in shallow barrels, oxidized by acetic acid bacteria via aerobic fermentation.
Requires exposure to air (O2).

6. Explosives & Organic Solvents
Glycerol (sweetener, moisturizer, lubricant and preservative for rubber, and the organic portion of some widely used explosives and medications )
Acetone
Butanol
WWI (Germany) – products for explosives made by manipulation of fermentation process to yield products other than ethanol.

7. Organic Acids Citric acid lactic acid acetic acid
produced for food processing.

8. Antibiotics Developed in 1940’s (WWII).
Antibiotic-producing fungi & bacteria are cultured & fermented.
Antibiotic is purified from fermentation products.
Methods for increasing yields were developed.
Penicillin – 1st antibiotic commercially produced.

9. Hormones, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, pigments
Microorganisms change chemical structure of a substrate (starting material) into a desired product.
In 1950’s, cholesterol  cortisone or sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone).
Insulin made in bulk.

10. Single-cell Protein
Fermenters allow large quantities of microorganisms to be grown & dried as a source of protein for humans & animals.
First used in Germany during WWI.
Vegemite – yeast extract, popular in Australia, NZ
Brewer’s yeast & baker’s yeast mass-produced early 1900’s.

11. Vaccines & Monoclonal Antibodies

12. Wastewater Treatment
fermentation techniques on the largest scale.