Categories
Pure & Applied SciencesDescription of the Programme
What is Industrial Microbiology/Biotechnology? Industrial microbiology or microbial biotechnology is the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses) or plant and animal cells to create useful products or processes. The terms “industrial microbiology” and “biotechnology” are often considered to be one and the same. Areas of industrial microbiology include the discovery of new organisms and pathways, such as antimicrobial drugs. For instance, most antibiotics come from microbial fermentation involving a group of organisms called actinomycetes. Other organisms such as yeasts are used in baking, in the production of alcoholic beverages, and in biofuel production. Additional groups of microorganisms form products that range from organic acids to enzymes used to create various sugars, amino acids, detergents, and consumer products/specialty ingredients. For example, the sweetener aspartame is derived from microbially produced amino acids. Industrial microbiologists may also be responsible for the bioremediation of air, soil, and water contamination. Industrial microbiologists may also deal with products associated with the food, dairy, and consumer products industries, along with the prevention of deterioration of processed or manufactured goods, and with waste disposal systems. Quality assurance for the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries is a large area, along with the health of animals used in testing products.
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