Bioprocesses Engineering Laboratory

Recommended Prerequisites

The student should have theoretical knowledge in Fermentation Engineering and Biocatalysis, Thermodynamics of Biological Systems, Separation and Purification of Bioproducts, Biorreactors and Molecular Biotechnology. It is also recommended other technical compentences related with experimental working in laboratories of biology, chemistry and biochemistry.

Teaching Methods

The curricular unit consists exclusively of intensive practical classes, taking place in the last 4 weeks of the second semester of the master's degree. In these classes, students carry out a sequence of laboratory activities for a specific microbial bioprocess, from the propagation of microorganisms, cultivation in a bioreactor, to the separation and purification of the biomolecule of interest, through the realization of a continuous and integrated project. The works are carried out in groups of 3 to 4 elements. The evaluation will be exclusively continuous.

Learning Outcomes

The primary objective of this course is to promote the integration of knowledge acquired in other curricular units of 1^st year of the Master in Biotechnological Engineering by performing experimental activiies, analyais of systems comprising different operation units, including biorreaction as key stage. For that purpose, this course focused in studying biotechnological processes in which raw-materials are converted in commercial valuable products by using microrganisms (especially, bacteria and yeast). Therefore, it is aimed to demonstrate, experimentally, what is Bioprocesses Engineering and how this can be improved, enhancing the acquisition of laboratories competences through the integration of theoretical knowledge obtained in the other curricular units of the Master, particularly, Fermentation Engineering and Biocatalysis, Thermodynamics of Biological Systems, Separation and Purification of Bioproducts and Biorreactors.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The syllabus covered in this course, performe on an experimental basis include:

1. Safety rules in Bioprocess laboratories.

2. Sterilization of equipment, culture media and gases.

3. Cell bank preparation and propagation (from plate to bioreactor).

4. Cultivation of microorganisms in a bioreactor and data analysis of microbial culture kinetics.

5. Separation, extraction and pre-purification of the biomolecules of interest (cell disruption, centrifugation, filtration, liquid-liquid extraction, precipitation and adsorption).

6. Quantification of extraction yields, purification factors and selectivity using different instrumental analysis techniques (colorimetric methods, UV-Vis absorbance, fluorescence, HPLC, among others).

These contents will be developed in groups using yeasts producing microbial pigments (eg beta-carotene) and enzymes (laccase), and bacteria producing recombinant proteins (eg green fluorescent protein).

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Goreti Ferreira Sales

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 20.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 80.0%

Bibliography

Bibliografia principal / Main bibligraphy:

- Doran, P.; Bioprocess Engineering Principles, 2nd ed., Elsevier, 2013.

- Harrison, R.G; Todd, P. W.; Rudge, S.R. and Petrides, D. P. Bioseparations Science and Engineering, 2nd ed., Oxford Scholarship Press, 2015.

- Villadsen, J.; Nielsen, J.; Lidén, G. Bioreaction Engineering Principles, 3rd ed., Springer New York, NY, 2011.

- Pessoa Jr., A.; Kilikian, B.V.; Purificação de Produtos Biotecnológicos: Operações e proccessos com aplicação industrial, 2ed., Blucher, São Paulo, 2020.

- Alterhum F, Schmidell, W.; Lima, U. A.; Moraes, I.O, Coleção Biotecnologia Industrial, 2ed. Blucher, São Paulo, 2020.

Outras bibliografias incluem artigos científicos disponíveis em bases de dados nacionais e internacionais, e serão fornecidos de acoro com o bioprocesso escolhido por cada grupo | Other bibliography include scientific articles available in national and international databases, depending on the topic of the thesis.