08127 - Industrial Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

The aim of the Course is to get the Student acquainted with quite a number of industrial biochemical processes. In particular, at the end the Course the Student will be able: i) to evaluate commercial enzyme blends; ii) to compare alternative methods for the industrial production of enzymes; iii) and to analyze the use of enzymes in industrial processes. Finally, the Student will be able to understand the relevance of microorganism in industrial bioconversions.

Course contents

The global enzyme market over the last ten years. Industrial enzymes and their use in brewing, starch liquefaction, and in wine making. The malic enzyme and the carbonic maceration.Oenocuccus oeni, the malo-lactic enzyme and the malo-lactic fermentation. Role of b-glucosidases in improving the quality of wines. Deinococcus radioduransas a tool for the remediation of sites contaminated with radioactive wastes. Cellulose degradation: endo- and exo-cellulases, b-glucosidases, and the conversion of cellulose into fermentable carbohydrates. The enzymatic conversion of starch at the industrial level. Oleaginous yeasts and the conversion into oils of agricultural wastes. Biocatalysis in organic solvents: stability and performances of enzymes in aprotic media. The industrial production of proteins and enzymes by means of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. The genus Bacillus, and the production of industrial enzymes. The yeast Pichia pastorisand the production of recombinant proteins. The lacoperon in Escherichia coli. The diauxic phenotype, and the expression of lactase. Inducers of lacoperon, promoters, and operators. The LacI repressor, the simultaneous binding of two operators, and the experiments of Müller-Hill. The araBADoperon and the activation/repression by the AraC protein. The production of protein complexes in E. coli. Storage of microbial strains. The microbial collections. The E. coli BL21(DE3) strain and the industrial production of recombinant proteins. The RNA polymerase from bacteriophage T7. The strains BL21(DE3) and BL21AI. The production of recombinant proteins toxic for the host: isolation and properties of the E. coliBL43 and BL49 strains.

Readings/Bibliography

Godfrey and West, Industrial Enzymology, McMillan Press Ltd., 1996.

Teaching methods

PowerPoint presentations.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral test. Students must prepare a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation on one of the course topics. The professor's evaluation of this presentation is worth 15 out of the total 30 points. During the presentation, the professor will ask the candidate three questions (worth 5 points each) to assess: i) critical analysis skills; ii) the ability to connect different topics; iii) the aptitude for identifying future developments in the technologies covered in the course. The use of artificial intelligence tools during the interview is strictly prohibited.

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 they can propose acceptable adjustments.
The request for adaptation must be submitted to the lecturer at least 15 days before the exam date. The lecturer will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Alejandro Hochkoeppler