Question

Bioreactors are the containment vehicles of any biotechnology-based production process. For large scale production and for economic reasons the final success of biotechnological process depends on the efficiency of the bioreactor.

Answer the following questions.

(i) List the operational guidelines that must be adhered to so as to achieve optimisation of the bioreactor system. Enlist any four.

(ii) Mention the phase of the growth we refer to in the statement “Optimisation of growth and metabolic activity of the cells”.

(iii) Is the biological product formed in the bioreactor suitable for the intended use immediate? Give reason in support of your answer

Answer 1

(i) The operational guidelines that must be adhered to so as to achieve optimisation of the bioreactor system are:

(I) It should have an agitator system, an oxygen delivery system and a foam control system.

(II) Bioreactor must have a temperature control system to provide optimum growth conditions.

(III) Bioreactor must have a pH control system.

(IV) It should have sampling ports so that small volumes of the culture can be withdrawn periodically.

(ii) In log/exponential phase, these culturing method produces a larger biomass leading to higher yield of desired protein, this is due to optimisation of growth and metabolic activity of the cells.

(iii) The biological product formed in the bioreactor is not suitable for the intended use immediate because after completion of the biosynthetic stage, the product has to be subjected through a series of processes before it is ready for marketing as a finished product. The processes include separation and purification, which are collectively referred to as downstream processing. The product has to be formulated with suitable preservatives. Such formulation has to undergo through clinical trials as in case of drugs. Strict quality control testing for each product is also required.