Industrial Biochemistry

Code: QUI13571M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Biochemistry

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

12. Produção e consumo sustentáveis - Assegurar padrões de produção e de consumo sustentáveis.

Learning Goals

The main objective of this curricular unit is to provide to students an introductory approach to the Biotechnology processes as well as to introduce them to the different areas of application of these processes. In the curricular unit, students should acquire skills for:
• recognizing, understanding and using the tools of Biochemical Engineering (Biotechnology);
• identifying the several areas of application of Biotechnology processes;
• describing some of the main Biotechnology processes applied to several areas (environmental, agriculture, food industry, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, energy);
• identifying and optimizing the control and operation parameters of some Biotechnology processes.
With these skills, by the end of the curricular unit, the students should be able to design and optimize some biotechnological processes, applying the concepts of biochemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, chemistry and bioprocesses.

1 Introduction to Industrial Biochemistry
1.1 Definition, concepts and historical outlook
1.2 Elements of bioprocesses: raw materials, biological agents and products
1.3 Applications of the principles of microbiology, genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology, and engineering
1.4 Present and future of Industrial Biochemistry
2 Introduction to Industrial Microbiology
2.1 Microorganisms of industrial interest
2.2 Isolation, identification and selection of microorganisms of industrial interest
2.3 Production of primary and secondary metabolites with industrial interest
3 Enzymes and enzymatic reactions of industrial interest
3.1 Industrial production of enzymes
3.2 Concepts of biotransformation, biocatalysts and immobilized biocatalysts
4 Introduction to Bioprocesses
4.1 Growth media for industrial use
4.2 Sterilization
4.3 Industrial fermentations
4.4 Bioseparations
4.5 Control and operation parameters
5 Areas of application of bioprocesses
6 Safety and regulations in Biotechnology

Teaching Methods

The teaching/learning is based on the work of the students, supported by recommended bibliography and notes taken by students either during classes or through research at home. The lectures are not purely expository, as they are illustrated with the resolution of problems of practical examples which embody the themes developed. In some practical classes some exercises of application of the theory are solved, whereas, in others, some works of research conducted by the students on areas of application of bioprocesses are presented and discussed in the class.

Assessment

The evaluation in the course unit can be carried out in one of two alternative ways, and the students can choose which one they prefer to be evaluated by:
- continuous assessment, with 4 mini-tests (50%) and the preparation, presentation, and discussion of 2 written assignments in the various areas of application of bioprocesses (50%)
- examination, by taking a single final written test, to be held after the end of the classes period, during the normal exam season
In order to pass the course unit, whether by continuous assessment or by exam, the grade must be equal to or higher than 10.
Students who fail in either evaluation mode may submit to a new evaluation by exam, during the appeal season, following the same approval criteria, i.e., the grade obtained in the exam must be equal to or higher than 10.
Students who pass in any evaluation mode can improve their grade in an appeal exam, with the final grade being the highest among the previous grade and the grade obtained in the appeal.