73520 - Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology M

Learning outcomes

This course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of applied biochemistry and microbiology, necessary to understand the role of biological agents in main industrial and environmental biotechnology processes.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

A prior knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry and microbiology (or at leasts basic of biology) is suggested to attend with profit this course.

This knowledge can be aquired through the Courses: "Organic Chemistry and Laboratory T", which is proposed at the first year of the First cycle degree/Bachelor in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Bologna (which also incluedes chemical laboratory experiences); and Biochemistry and Biotechnology for the Chemical Industry T", which is proposed at the second year of the same degree.

Fluent spoken and written English is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials will be in English

Course contents

Module 1 (3 CFU) - Fundamentals of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology M

Cell types and major cell constituents. Enzymes and Nucleic acids: their structure and functions.

Metabolism of biogenic compounds. Anabolic and catabolic pathways.

Aerobic respiration of organic compounds: glycolysis, Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Examples and main features of industrial and environmental relevant microorganisms respiring aerobically biogenic organic compounds.

Anaerobic metabolism of organic compounds: nitrate-reduction, Fe(III)-reduction, sulphate-reduction, HCO3— reduction (methanogenesis and acetogenesis). Main features of major industrially and environmentally relevant microorganisms using such respiration routes.

Fermentation of carbohydrates and proteins: fermentation pathways of major relevance for industrial and environmental processes and main features of microorganisms responsible for them.

Anaerobic digestion of organic matter and biowaste and its industrial and environmental relevance.

Biotransformation pathways for inorganic compounds in aerobic habitats, such as nitrification.

Basics of CO2 autotrophic fixation and of anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis.

Molecular Ecology: the occurrence of the different microbes and microbial processes in the major aquatic and terrestrial natural habitats and what impacts the composition of microbial communities.

Microbial growth under batch, fed-batch and continuous conditions and kinetics describing the processes. Physical and chemical agents affecting/controlling the microbial growth.

Nutritional requirements of chemoorganotrophic industrial and environmental relevant micro-organisms and cultural media employed for their growth. Mixed cultures, co-cultures and pure cultures and conventional and molecular procedures for their characterization and improvement. Conservation of microbial cultures.

Module 2 (6 CFU) - Advances in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology M

Part1: Environmental Biotechnology

Microorganisms mainly involved in biotransformation and detoxification of pollutants, the biochemical-molecular basis associated with their adaptation to the pollutants and their potential industrial exploitation. Main biodegradation/detoxification pathways for aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, including chlorinated derivatives, in aerobic and anaerobic polluted environments.

Bioremediation technologies for main environmental pollutants.

Wastewater biotreatment: principles, microbiology and processes.

Plastic pollution: dynamics and risks. Biopolymers as alternative to conventional plastic polymers: biopolymers definition, production and biodegradation in closed and open environment.

Part 2: Industrial biotechnology

Introduction to White Biotechnology: feed-stocks, products and concept of biorefinery.

Enzyme production and exploitation in biorefineries.

Conventional and biotechnological biodiesel production. Microalgae exploitation for third generation biodiesel production.

Bioethanol production: first and second generation bioethanol.

Biotechnological exploitation of lignocellulosic biomass for obtaining fine chemicals and biofuels: biomass and by-products/waste pre-treatment and enzymatic/microbial conversion of the obtained constituents.

Production of biogas and biotechnological possibilities for biogas upgrading.

Readings/Bibliography

Madigan M.T. Martinko J.M., Parker J. (2002) Brock: Biology of Microorganisms.10th Edition, Prentice Hall International, Inc . New Jersey, USA

Pepper, Gerba, Gentry. Environmental Microbiology. Third Edition. Academic Press.

Waites, Morgan, Rockey, Higton. Industrial Microbiology: An Introduction. Blackwell Science.

Teaching methods

Class lectures, in english, using powerpoint slides.

Assessment methods

 Achievements will be assessed by the means of a final oral exam (at least 3 questions, chosen by the professor and spanning the whole course program), through which the knowledge level acquired by the student on the topics covered in the class, his/her ability to present them clearly and with appropriate language and to discuss them critically will be evaluated.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application and connection between topics, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language.

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides used during lectures and other materials to help the student in organizing his/her study will be provided through virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Biagi