Post Graduate in Microbial Biotechnology

This paper provides the thorough knowledge about types of microorganisms and
their applications and there by producing various products of industrial and commercial
uses.
Objective: In order make the students to understand the applications and uses of microorganisms.
Goal: Students will get the idea of fermentation technology and to produce economically
important products and help to find out new methods and applications of
microorganisms.
UNIT I
Microbial diversity: Classification- Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes, Bergey's system;
Molecular techniques for classification - Biochemical, microbiological, 16s rRNA
sequencing. DNA-DNA hybridization, construction of phylogenetic tree, G+C analysis.
Preservation and maintenance of microbes.
UNIT II
Fermentation technology:
Fermentors: Principle; Types- Stirred tank, Deep-jet, Air-lift , Gas-lift , Sparged tank
fermenters; continuous fermentors - Mode of operation.
Bioreactors: Principle; Types: CSTR, PFR, Fluidized bed, immobilized cell reactormode
of operation.
Downstream processing: Separation of cells- flocculation, filteration, plate filters, rotary
vacuum filter; Disintegration of micro-organisms- mechnical and non-mechanical
methods; Filteration- membrane filteration, ultrafilteration, reverse osmosis,
Chromatography- adsorption and adhesive; Drying- spray driers, drum driers and freeze
driers.
UNIT III
Improvement in production:- improved strains by protoplast fusion, recombination,
alteration in metabolic pathway; immobilization of cells.
Microbial products of industrial use: Production, harvest, recovery, uses and mode of
action- enzymes; antibiotics- penicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin; vitamins- B2, B12;
amino acids; organic solvents- acetone, butanol, ethanol; organic acids- acetic acid, lactic
acid, citric acid.
UNIT IV
Microbial products of food industry: production, harvest, recovery and uses- Baker's
yeast; single cell protein; beverages-beer, wine and brandy; milk products- cheese.
Biomass production: Biomass production from carbohydrates: higher alkanes and
methanol; cultivation of edible mushrooms; Biofertilizer- manufacture, formulation and
utilization;Biocides.
UNIT V
Bioremediation: Biodegradation of xenobiotics; microbes in mining, oreleaching, oil
recovery; microbes in waste water treatment; biodegradation of noncellulosic waste for
environmental conservation; bioconversion of cellulose waste into protein and fuel.