Applied Biochemistry in Industrial Production: Microorganisms, Enzymes, and Metabolism

The course Applied Biochemistry in Industrial Production explores the use of microorganisms, enzymes, and metabolism as "biological factories" to transform raw materials into food, drugs, bioplastics, and biofuels in a sustainable and efficient way.

The industrial process uses domesticated microorganisms and bioreactors that maintain critical parameters (pH, temperature, oxygenation) to produce primary and secondary metabolites.

Economically relevant examples covered in the course:

• Ethanol — via Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Citric acid — via Aspergillus niger
• Industrial enzymes and biopharmaceuticals such as recombinant insulin

The use of metabolic engineering to optimize yields is highlighted, along with the complex recovery and purification stage, followed by rigorous quality control, ensuring pure and biologically active products, aligned with the circular bioeconomy.