ASC3676

Industrial microbiology

Next offered by distance in 2000

Mr Chris Panter

4 points - First semester - 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of practical work per week - Gippsland - Prerequisites: ASC2687 or both ASC2666 and ASC2657 - Prohibitions: MIC3022, GAS3121, BTH3776

Objectives At the end of this subject, students will appreciate the breadth of industrial microbiology, and be able to discuss broadly the use of microorganisms in these areas. They should be able to discuss how different types of industry may obtain, handle, and maintain microorganisms. Fermenters will be considered as a major part of this subject. Students will be able to utilise the basic principles behind the operation of batch and continuous fermenters; discuss the differences between industrial processes that are purely chemical processes and those that are microbiological, and discuss the different uses of batch and continuous fermentation for different industrial purposes. They will be aware of the different methods of genetic improvement that have been used to modify microorganisms for different fermentations. They will learn examples of the modification of chemical compounds in microbial processes. Finally they will be introduced to the use of microorganisms in biological control and be aware of the particular problems in their industrial production.

Synopsis The subject opens with an overview of industrial microbiology, giving an appreciation of the wide scope of this area of microbiology. This is followed by examination of how microorganisms are obtained, handled and maintained in industry. Then follows a section on fermenters, both continuous and batch, the principles behind their operation, their operation and their uses in industry. The industrial alcohol fermentation is investigated as an important example illustrating the use of different types of fermentation in industry. The different methods of genetic modification that have been used to create special industrial microorganisms and some examples of their application then follow. The subject then considers the application of microorganisms to modify chemicals to produce specialty compounds. This subject is concluded by considering the use of microorganisms as biological control agents for control of pests, and examines the problems inherent in industrial production of microbial control agents.

Assessment Final examination: 70% - Practical work: 30%

Prescribed texts

A comprehensive study guide and reader are provided.

Recommended texts

Bu'Lock J D and Kristiansen B Basic biotechnology Academic Press, 1987
Crueger W and Crueger A A textbook of industrial microbiology 2nd edn, Sinauer, 1992
Demain A L and Solomon N A (eds) Manual of industrial microbiology and biotechnology American Society for Microbiology, 1986
Lowrie P Microbiology and biotechnology CUP, 1994
Morris B Biotechnology CUP, 1995
Taylor J Microorganisms and biotechnology Nelson, 1992

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook