7.3 Microbial production of biomolecules
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Microbes are tiny powerhouses, churning out valuable compounds. From essential amino acids to life-saving , these microscopic factories produce a wide range of useful substances through and .
Microbial production isn't just about medicine and food additives. These versatile organisms also help create renewable energy sources like , offering sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and addressing global environmental concerns.
Metabolic Products
Primary and Secondary Metabolites
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- Primary metabolites are compounds produced by microorganisms during their growth phase and are essential for their growth and development
- Includes amino acids, nucleotides, and organic acids
- Examples of primary metabolites are ethanol produced by and lactic acid produced by lactic acid
- Secondary metabolites are compounds produced by microorganisms during the stationary phase and are not essential for their growth and development
- Often have bioactive properties and are used as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and food additives
- Examples of secondary metabolites are antibiotics (penicillin), pigments (carotenoids), and toxins (aflatoxins)
Amino Acids, Organic Acids, and Vitamins
- Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are produced by microorganisms through fermentation processes
- Examples of amino acids produced by microorganisms are glutamic acid (MSG) and lysine (used as a feed additive)
- Organic acids are compounds with carboxylic acid groups and are produced by microorganisms through fermentation processes
- Examples of organic acids produced by microorganisms are citric acid (used in food and beverages) and acetic acid (vinegar)
- Vitamins are essential nutrients required in small amounts for proper growth and development of organisms
- Microorganisms can produce various vitamins such as vitamin B12 (produced by Pseudomonas denitrificans) and riboflavin (produced by Ashbya gossypii)
Bioactive Compounds
Antibiotics and Enzymes
- Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms that can kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms
- Examples of antibiotics produced by microorganisms are penicillin (produced by Penicillium chrysogenum) and streptomycin (produced by Streptomyces griseus)
- are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions and are produced by microorganisms through fermentation processes
- Examples of enzymes produced by microorganisms are amylases (used in starch processing) and proteases (used in detergents)
Recombinant Proteins
- Recombinant proteins are proteins produced by genetically engineered microorganisms
- Involves inserting the gene encoding the desired protein into a host microorganism (bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells)
- The host microorganism is then cultured to produce large quantities of the recombinant protein
- Examples of recombinant proteins produced by microorganisms are insulin (produced by E. coli) and human growth hormone (produced by E. coli)
Renewable Energy
Biofuels
- Biofuels are fuels produced from renewable biological sources such as plants and microorganisms
- Can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Examples of biofuels produced by microorganisms are bioethanol (produced by yeast fermentation of sugars) and biodiesel (produced by transesterification of plant oils using lipases from microorganisms)
- Microalgae are a promising source of biofuels due to their high lipid content and fast growth rates
- Can be cultivated in wastewater or seawater, reducing freshwater usage and competition with food crops
- Examples of microalgae used for biofuel production are Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oculata
Key Terms to Review (23)
Aerobic: Aerobic refers to processes that require oxygen to occur, particularly in the context of cellular respiration. In aerobic respiration, organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. This process is fundamental for many microorganisms as they utilize it to produce biomolecules efficiently.
Anaerobic: Anaerobic refers to processes that occur in the absence of oxygen. In microbial contexts, anaerobic conditions allow certain microorganisms to thrive and produce energy through fermentation or anaerobic respiration. These processes are essential for the production of various biomolecules and play a critical role in environments where oxygen is limited.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are natural or synthetic compounds that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, playing a critical role in treating bacterial infections. They are produced by various microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria, and can be used to prevent and cure diseases caused by harmful bacteria, impacting public health significantly.
Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that have a simple cell structure without a nucleus. These organisms are incredibly diverse and can be found in nearly every environment on Earth, playing vital roles in various processes including decomposition, nutrient cycling, and industrial applications. Their ability to grow rapidly and adapt to different conditions makes them essential for industrial fermentation processes and the microbial production of biomolecules.
Biofuels: Biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from biological materials, primarily plants and organic waste. They serve as alternatives to fossil fuels, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on non-renewable resources. This concept is intertwined with advances in various scientific fields, particularly in how biotechnology can optimize the production and efficiency of biofuels.
Biopharmaceuticals: Biopharmaceuticals are medical drugs produced using biotechnology, often derived from living organisms or their products. These innovative medications include a wide range of biologically-based treatments, such as therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines, playing a crucial role in modern medicine by targeting specific diseases at the molecular level.
Bioreactor: A bioreactor is a vessel or container that provides a controlled environment for the growth of microorganisms or cells to produce desired products, such as biomolecules, through biological processes. It plays a crucial role in industrial fermentation and microbial production, allowing for efficient conversion of raw materials into valuable products while maintaining optimal conditions for the organisms involved.
Bioremediation: Bioremediation is the process of using living organisms, typically microbes, to degrade or remove pollutants from the environment, thereby restoring contaminated sites to a natural state. This method is particularly effective in addressing issues like oil spills, heavy metal contamination, and agricultural runoff by harnessing the natural metabolic processes of microorganisms.
Biosafety: Biosafety refers to the measures and protocols that are implemented to protect human health and the environment from potential risks associated with biological research and biotechnological applications. It encompasses a range of practices designed to ensure that biological materials are handled, transported, and disposed of safely, especially in contexts like genetic modification, cell culture, and microbial production.
Biotransformation: Biotransformation is the process by which living organisms, particularly microorganisms, chemically alter the structure of compounds. This can involve the conversion of complex organic substances into simpler forms, often resulting in increased solubility or changes in biological activity. The ability of microbes to biotransform various substances makes them crucial in the production of biomolecules and in environmental detoxification.
Chromatography: Chromatography is a laboratory technique used to separate mixtures into their individual components based on their physical or chemical properties. This method allows for the analysis and purification of biomolecules produced by microbes, making it essential in biotechnology for isolating specific substances from complex mixtures.
Cultivation: Cultivation refers to the process of growing microorganisms, cells, or tissues under controlled conditions to produce desired biomolecules. This practice is fundamental in biotechnology as it allows for the mass production of valuable substances, such as proteins, enzymes, and metabolites, derived from microbial organisms. The success of cultivation greatly influences the yield and quality of the biomolecules produced, making it a critical step in microbial production systems.
Enzymes: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy required for those reactions to occur. They are typically proteins, and their specific shapes allow them to bind to substrates and facilitate the transformation into products, playing a crucial role in various metabolic processes.
Fermentation: Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol using microorganisms, primarily yeast and bacteria. This process is crucial in various applications such as food production, biofuel generation, and pharmaceutical development, showcasing its broad significance in biotechnology.
Fermenter: A fermenter is a specialized vessel used in biotechnology to cultivate microorganisms or cells under controlled conditions to produce various products through fermentation. These vessels maintain optimal environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, and oxygen levels, to support the growth and metabolism of microorganisms for industrial and biotechnological applications.
Food industry: The food industry encompasses all processes involved in the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of food products. It plays a crucial role in shaping dietary habits, ensuring food safety, and meeting the nutritional needs of the population, while also significantly impacting economic activities and sustainability.
Fungi: Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that play essential roles in ecosystems, including decomposition, nutrient cycling, and forming symbiotic relationships with plants and other organisms. They can exist as single-celled organisms like yeasts or multicellular structures like molds and mushrooms, and are key players in the microbial production of biomolecules due to their ability to produce enzymes and secondary metabolites.
Genetic Engineering: Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology, which allows scientists to alter the genetic makeup of organisms for various purposes. This technique plays a crucial role in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental science, enabling innovations like genetically modified organisms and gene therapy.
Metabolic Engineering: Metabolic engineering is the practice of optimizing metabolic pathways within an organism to enhance the production of specific biomolecules. This technique combines principles from genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology to modify the metabolic networks of microorganisms, allowing them to produce valuable compounds like pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and industrial chemicals more efficiently. By altering the genetic makeup of these organisms, researchers can redirect their metabolic flux to increase yield and improve overall productivity.
Regulatory compliance: Regulatory compliance refers to the adherence to laws, regulations, guidelines, and specifications relevant to a particular industry or sector. It ensures that organizations operate within the legal frameworks set by government and regulatory bodies, which is crucial for maintaining safety, quality, and ethical standards. In the context of microbial production of biomolecules, regulatory compliance plays a vital role in ensuring that the processes used to produce and market these biomolecules meet safety standards and do not pose risks to public health or the environment.
Scale-up: Scale-up refers to the process of increasing the production capacity of a biotechnological system, particularly in the context of fermentation and microbial production. This involves transitioning from small-scale experiments, usually conducted in laboratory settings, to larger, industrial-scale operations, ensuring that the processes remain efficient and cost-effective while maintaining product quality and consistency.
Yeast: Yeast is a type of single-celled fungus that plays a crucial role in various fermentation processes, converting sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Its ability to metabolize sugars makes it invaluable in industries such as brewing, baking, and bioethanol production, where it helps produce essential biomolecules and contributes to the transformation of organisms for genetic engineering.
Yield Optimization: Yield optimization refers to the strategies and processes aimed at maximizing the production of desired biomolecules in microbial systems. This involves adjusting various parameters, such as nutrient availability, growth conditions, and metabolic pathways, to enhance the efficiency and quantity of biomolecule output during microbial fermentation or cultivation processes.