FE 462 BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Introduction
Some definitions….
Biotechnology: use or development of methods of direct genetic manipulation for a socially desirable goal. Sometimes a broader definition is used, where biotechnology is applied biology.

Biomedical Engineering: engineering on systems to improve human health

Bioengineering, biological engineering: work on medical or agricultural systems, draws on electrical, mechanical, industrial and chemical engineers.

Biochemical Engineering: extension of chemical engineering principles to systems using a biocatalyst to bring about desired chemical transformation.

GENERALIZED VIEW OF BIOPROCESS TYPICAL BIOPROCESS FLOW SHEET
Applications of Biotechnology
The basic questions which need to be asked for the process development and design are as follows:

What change can be expected to occur?
How fast will the process take place?
How can the system be operated and controlled for the maximum yield?
How can the products be separated with maximum purity and minimum costs?
DEFINITION OF FERMENTATION
Traditionally, fermentation was defined as the process for the production of alcohol or lactic acid from glucose (C6H120 6).

A broader definition of fermentation is “an enzymatically controlled transformation of an organic compound” according to Webster’s New College Dictionary (A Merriam-Webster, 1977) that we adopt in this text.

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