Modern Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

The field of industrial microbiology involves a thorough knowledge of the microbial physiology behind the processes in the large-scale, profit-oriented production of microbe-related goods which are the subject of the field. In recent times a paradigm shift has occurred, and a molecular understanding of the various processes by which plants, animals and microorganisms are manipulated is now central to industrial microbiology. Thus the various applications of industrial microbiology are covered broadly, with emphasis on the physiological and genomic principles behind these applications. Relevance of the new elements such as bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, site-directed mutation and metabolic engineering, which have necessitated the paradigm shift in industrial microbiology are discussed.

Introduction. Introduction of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. Biological basis of productivity in industrial microbiology and biotechnology. Microorganisms in Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics in Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. Nutrient Media for Cultivation of Industrial Microorganisms and Production of Microbial Products. Biosynthetic Pathways for Metabolic Products of Microorganisms. Processes for Overproduction of Microbial Metabolites for Industrial Applications. Selection and Improvement of Industrial Organisms for Biotechnological Applications. Methods of Preservation of the Gene Pool in Industrial Organisms and Culture Collections. Basic operations in industrial fermentation. Fermentors and Operation of Fermentation Equipment. Downstream Processing: Extraction of Fermentation Products. Significance and Processes of Sterility in Industrial Microbiology. Production of metabolites as bulk chemicals or as inputs in other processes. Biocatalysts, Immobilized Enzymes and Immobilized Cells. Production of Biofuel and Industrial Alcohol. Production of Organic Acids. Production of Amino Acids by Fermentation. Mining Microbiology: Bioleaching by Microorganisms. Use of whole cells for food related purposes. Single Cell Protein Production. Yeast Production. Production of Microbial Insecticides. Production of Rhizobium Biofertilizer. Production of Fermented Foods. Alcohol-based fermentation industries. Production of Beer: Raw Materials and Brewing Processes. Production of Wines and Spirits. Production of Vinegar. Production of commodities of medical importance. Production of Antibiotics and Anti-Tumor Agents. Production of Ergot Alkaloids. Microbial Transformation of Steroids and Sterols. Vaccines. Drug Discovery in Microbial Metabolites: The Search for Microbial Products with Bioactive Properties. Waste disposal. Treatment of Wastes in Industry.