Unit Operations in Biotechnology

There are no formal prerequisites. However, general knowledge of physics and mathematical calculus is recommended.

The theoretical lectures are predominantly expository and it will prevail a strong interaction between the concepts taught and their practical application.

In the theoretical-practical classes, the students will solve exercises under the guidance of the lecturer.

In the practical laboratory classes, the fundamentals of the experimental work to be done are presented and discussed, and students are encouraged to do a previous reading of the recommended bibliography. A critical analysis of the obtained results will be done, and a written report will be prepared to develop critical thinking skills and the power of synthesis.

Throughout the semester, individual attendance is provided to students to understand the contents taught in both the theoretical and practical components, as well as support in preparing for exams.

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge of several unit operations and separation techniques used for the purification of products obtained in biotechnological processes from different biological sources (microorganisms, animals and plants), at the laboratorial and industrial scales. Emphasis is given on the initial downstream stages, namely clarification, concentration and low-resolution purification techniques. In this context, the course allows developing competencies related to the design of pieces of equipment, as well as with the calculation of their operating conditions. On a personal level, the course will help students to develop autonomous and critical thinking.

A. Theoretical-pratical component

1. Introduction. Characterization of biotechnological processes. Importance of biotechnological processes in the world scenario. Biotechnological processes of industrial interest.

2. Main steps of a generic industrial biotechnological process: upstream processing, bioreactor, downstream processing.

3. Downstream processing: removal of cells and cell debris, primary isolation, purification and final isolation. Main unit operations used in each stage.

4. Separation of insolubles: filtration and centrifugation. Equipment available. Theoretical concepts and calculation of operating conditions.

5. Cellular rupture: mechanical and non-mechanical methods. Some details of the most common pieces of equipment.

6. Separation of solubles: extraction and adsorption. Extraction column – concept of ideal stage. Adsorption isotherms. Equipment available. Calculation of operating conditions.

B. Practical component

Practical application of the concepts taught using case studies. Laboratory practice: conventional solid-liquid extraction from a vegetable matrix. Quantification of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts. Discussion of the obtained results and preparation of the written report.

• - Teste teórico 100 - 100.0%

• - Teste teórico 35 - 35.0%
• - Teste teórico 35 - 35.0%
• - Relatório escrito 70 + (desempenho laboratorial + discussão do trabalho) 30 - 30.0%

NAO

BELTER, Paul A.; CUSSLER, E. L.; HU, Wei-Shou (1988). Bioseparations: Downstream Processing for Biotechnology. John Wiley & Sons, New York. ISBN: 978-0-471-12113-8.

DORAN, Pauline (2012). Bioprocess Engineering Principles, 2nd Edition. Academic Press, London. ISBN: 978-0122208515.

FLICKINGER, Michael C.(2013). Downstream Industrial Biotechnology: Recovery and Purification. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey. ISBN: 978-1-118-13124-4

FORCINITI, Daniel (2008). Industrial Bioseparations: Principles and Practice. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford. ISBN: 978-0-8138-2085-91.

GEANKOPOLIS, C. J.;  HERSEL, A., A.; LEPEK, D., H. (2018). Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (5th ed.) Prentice Hall, Boston. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-418102-8.

GOLDBERG, Elliot (1996) Handbook of Downstream Processing. Blackie Academic & Professional, London. ISBN: 0-7514-0364-4.

HARRISON, Roger G.; TODD, Paul; RUDGE, Scott R.; PETRIDES, Demetri P. (2015). Bioseparation Science and Engineering, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN: 978-0-19-539181- 7.

LADISCH, Michael R. (2001). Bioseparations Engineering: Principles, Practice, and Economics. Wiley-Interscience, New York. ISBN: 978-0-471-24476-9.

SEADER, J. D.; HENLEY, Ernest J.; ROPER, D. Keith (2011) Separation Process Principles: Chemical and Biochemical Operations, 3rd Edition.  John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey. ISBN: 978-0-470-48183-7.

SHULER, Michael; KARGI, Fickret; DELISA, Mathew  (2017). Bioprocess Engineering: Basic Concepts, 3rd Edition. Prentice Hall, Boston. ISBN13: 978-0137062706.