Genetic science, animal exploitation, and the challenge for democracy

As the debates over cloning and stem cell research indicate, issues raised by biotechnology combine research into the genetic sciences, perspectives and contexts articulated by the social sciences, and the ethical and anthropological concerns of philosophy. Consequently, I argue that intervening in the debates over biotechnology requires supra-disciplinary critical philosophy and social theory to illuminate the problems and their stakes. In addition, debates over cloning and stem cell research raise exceptionally important challenges to bioethics and a democratic politics of communication.

Recent advances in biotechnological valorization of brewers' spent grain

Brewers'' spent grain (BSG) is the most abundant by-product of beer-brewing. BSG is rich in nutrients such as protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and therefore it is conventionally used as low-cost animal feed. On the other hand, alternative utilization of BSG has gained increased attention during recent years due to technological progress in its processing and the emergence of the concept of circular economy. The valorization of BSG through biotechnological approaches is environmentally friendly and sustainable. This review was focused on recent advancements in the conversion of BSG into value-added products, including bioenergy (ethanol, butanol, hydrogen, biodiesel, and biogas), organic acids, enzymes, xylitol, oligosaccharides, and single cell protein, via biotechnological approaches. In addition, the potential applications of BSG as immobilization matrices in bioprocesses have been reviewed.     

Enzymatic Analysis of Positional Distribution of Fatty Acids in Solid Fat by 1,3-Selective Transesterification with Candida antarctica Lipase B

A protocol for the analysis of the positional distribution of fatty acids (FA) in solid triacylglycerols (TAG) was developed using sn-1(3) selective alcoholysis catalyzed by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB). One part by weight of solid fat and ten parts by weight of ethanol (99.5 %) were warmed to liquefy the fat. After adding 0.44 parts by weight of CALB, the mixture was shaken at 50 °C for 10 min then at 30 °C for 2.8 h. The recovery of 2-MAG after the 3-h transesterification reaction was ca. 85 % of the maximum theoretical yield (33 mol%), with the loss of 15 % attributable to the acyl migration from sn-2 to sn-1(3). The recovery was similar to that of the solvent-free alcoholysis of structured lipids, 1,3-dipalmitoyl, 2-oleoyl glycerol and 1,3-dioleoyl, 2-palmitoyl glycerol, conducted at 30 °C for 3 h. In contrast, the acyl migration from sn-1(3) to sn-2 was hardly observed. Because the detected acyl migration was only in the direction of sn-2 to sn-1(3), and not vice versa, it is proposed to determine the FA composition of the sn-2 position of TAG by the gas chromatographic analysis of 2-MAG fraction recovered from the enzymatic reaction mixture, and the FA composition of sn-1(3) position by a mass balance using the FA composition of TAG and of the sn-2 position as inputs. The procedure was successfully applied to palm oil and shea butter, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich single cell oil from Aurantiochytrium sp. KH105 for the first time.     

Pflanzenextraktion: Schlüsseltechnologie zur nachhaltigen Nutzung von Bio‐Ressourcen

Plants have been among the most important objects for civilized cultures. Soon plants will be not only nutrients but will form the basis for the production and supply of many objects needed in daily life. The processing of plants requires further developed skills in order to satisfy the growing demands. The use of separated plant components, mainly of fractions with selected constituents led to a further development of the knowledge of extraction. Advanced understanding of the materials sciences and mechanization allowed establish extraction processes which warrant continuous production of products of high quality. This period of time marks the beginning of the phytotechnology as an independent scientific and technical discipline of plant extraction.     

Handling Climate Change – Establishing Waste CO2 Management A View from Biotechnology

The biggest material flows induced by industry are realized in energy production. Coal, oil and gas as raw material streams are moved from their deposits to their further converting. From there product streams are branched out. However, the biggest material flow of this industry is waste CO₂ mobilized by chemical conversion from fossil deposits and released into the atmosphere. A waste management is urgently needed to reduce the amount of this flow, to neutralize its effects on environment and to establish applications yielding a return. Natural backflow of CO₂ from the atmosphere to the biosphere waits for completion by industrial methods in order to shift it to a dimension equalizing the finally unavoidable amount of waste CO₂ flow into the atmosphere.     

Production and Use of Sustainable C2-C4 Alcohols – An Industrial Perspective

In the recent past, society has become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of political and corporate action. Hence, several industrial sectors are currently undergoing a transition to more sustainable products and processes. Sustainable production processes for C2-C4 alcohols can help to decrease the environmental impacts of large downstream markets such as fuels and polymers. However, a reliable and consistent framework is needed for companies to further develop and commercialize these processes. Furthermore, standardized procedures for determining the sustainability of a process are essential in evaluating the environmental benefits.     

Improvement of palm oil through breeding and biotechnology

The oil palm Elaeis guineensis is the highest oil-yielding crop and has the potential to become the major supplier of both edible oil and renewable industrial feedstock. The oil yield from wild groves is presently less than 0.5 t/ha/y. However, through breeding and selection, the oil yield of commercial plantations could reach as much as 8 t/ha/y. New planting materials also have the capability of better oil yields with high iodine value (IV), slow height increment, and larger kernels. The oil also contains considerable amounts of carotenoids (500–700 ppm), vitamin E (600–1000 ppm), and sterols (250–620 ppm). The oil yield of another oil palm species, E. oleifera, is approximately 0.5 t/ha/y with high contents of carotenoids (700–1500 ppm), vitamin E (700–1500 ppm), and sterols (3500–4000 ppm). The above traits could be improved through breeding and biotechnology. Biotechnological efforts at the Palm Oil Institute of Malaysia are directed toward the production of oil with high IV and high monounsaturated fatty acids for edible purposes and industrial uses. Isolation and manipulation of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids are the main focus. The aim is to increase the efficiency of conversion of palmitate (C_16:0) to oleate (C_18:1). Levels of palmitate and oleate are controlled by the enzymes acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase and β-keto acyl ACP synthase II. The chain termination reactions of C_16:0 and C_18:1 are independent, thus paving the way for the possibility of reducing palmitate levels by switching off the palmitoyl ACP thioesterase gene. Paper presented at the 88th AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo. May 11–14, 1997, Seattle, Washington, USA.     

Raman spectroscopy as process analytical tool in downstream processing of biotechnology

Downstream processing or product recovery plays a vital role in the development of bioprocesses. To improve the bioprocess efficiency, some unconventional methods are much required. The continuous manufacturing in downstream processing makes the Process Analytical Technologies (PATs) as an important tool. Monitoring and controlling bioprocess are an essential factor for the principles of PAT and quality by design. Spectroscopic methods can apply to monitor multiple analytes in real-time with less sample processing with significant advancements. Raman spectroscopy is an extensively used technique as an analytical and research tool owing to its modest process form, non-destructive, non-invasive optical molecular spectroscopic imaging with computer-based analysis. Generally, its application is essential for the analysis and characterization of biological samples, and it is easy to operate with minimal sample. The innovation on various types of enhanced Raman spectroscopy was designed to enhance the Raman analytical technique. Raman spectroscopy could couple with chemometrics to provide reliable alternative analysis method of downstream process analysis. Thus, this review aims to provide useful insight on the application of Raman spectroscopy for PAT in downstream processing of biotechnology and Raman data analysis in biological fields.     

Critical Success Factors for New Product Development in Biotechnology Companies

The development of new products has become increasingly critical for the competitiveness of companies, due to increased diversity and variety of products, the reduction of product life cycles, and, primarily, globalization of markets. Thus, the identification and prioritization of critical success factors for developing new products is important, particularly for the high degree of risk and uncertainty involved. The main objective of this article is the identification and prioritization of critical success factors in new product development projects in biotechnology companies in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research method used was a survey questionnaire, which was sent to a sample of 31 biotechnology companies in Minas Gerais state. The principal findings of this research are that interpersonal skills/relationships of the project leader and technical skills are the most critical factors for successful new product development in this industry. The implications for the biotechnology industry in general, as well as for those responsible for managing new product development, are discussed.     

Identification of factors that accelerate hydrogen production by Clostridium butyricum RAK25832 using casamino acids as a nitrogen source

The ability of Clostridium butyricum RAK25832 to use casamino acids as a nitrogen source was investigated. Strain RAK25832 showed the capacity to utilize different types of carbon sources. With glucose as a carbon source (10 g/L), the preferred final concentration of casamino acids was 26.67 g/L, with a cumulative hydrogen production, production rate, and yield of 2505 mL H₂/L, 160 mL/h, and 1.81 mol H₂/mol glucose, respectively. Eighteen metal elements were screened to identify the most important metals for biohydrogen production, and four elements were optimized. The optimal medium composition was MgCl₂·6H₂O (0.1 g/L), K₂HPO₄·3H₂O (6.67 g/L), NaHCO₃ (2.6 g/L), and FeCl₂·4H₂O (0.002 g/L). Vitamin supplementation of the medium showed no significant effect on hydrogen production. Under the optimized conditions, cumulative hydrogen production reached 3074 mL H₂/L. This is the first study to demonstrate the use of casamino acids as a nitrogen source by C. butyricum.