L1: Classification of molecules Flashcards

1
Q

What disciplines intersect in the “Recovery and Purification of Biological Products” course?

A

Chemical engineering, biotechnology, sustainability, and food science.

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2
Q

What level of mathematics is required for the course?

A

Simple calculations, with no advanced mathematics or modeling.

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3
Q

What are the major focuses of downstream processing (DP)?

A

Recovery of products from bioprocesses, which includes theory, case studies, and unit operations.

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4
Q

What is downstream processing (DP) in bioprocessing?

A

The series of steps to recover and purify a product after production.

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5
Q

What are the key unit operations in downstream processing?

A

Biomass removal, product concentration, and product purification.

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6
Q

What role do flowsheets play in DP?

A

They visually map out the steps needed to recover and purify bioproducts.

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7
Q

What types of molecules are differentiated in bioproducts?

A

Low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) molecules.

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8
Q

What is an example of a high-cost, low-molecular-weight bioproduct?

A

Pharmaceuticals like sitagliptin.

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9
Q

What unit operations are used for biomass removal?

A

Filtration and centrifugation.

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10
Q

What is the purpose of product concentration in DP?

A

To separate materials with properties different from the product, facilitating easy separation.

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11
Q

Name a common unit operation used in product concentration.

A

Ultrafiltration

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12
Q

What is the main goal of product purification in DP?

A

To remove impurities that have similar properties to the product.

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13
Q

Which method is often used for product purification?

A

Chromatography

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14
Q

Why are bioprocesses considered sustainable?

A

They use renewable feedstocks and operate under mild conditions.

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15
Q

Define “yield” in downstream processing.

A

Yield is the ratio of active substance at the end of the process to that at the start.

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16
Q

What is the purity-yield trade-off?

A

Higher purity often results in a lower overall yield.

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17
Q

Why is downstream processing challenging?

A

Due to water content, contaminants, and product similarity to other materials.

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18
Q

What stability factors are critical for protein products?

A

Stability is highly dependent on pH, temperature, and ionic strength.

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19
Q

What is the first step in a typical biocatalysis flowsheet?

A

Introduction of feedstock into the reactor.

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20
Q

What is the function of centrifugation in DP?

A

It removes solid biomass from liquid components.

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21
Q

What are UN Sustainable Development Goals highlighted in the course?

A

Goals 8, 9, 12, and 13, focusing on sustainable production and innovation.

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22
Q

What is a common source for recovery and purification case studies?

A

Real commercial products from bioprocesses.

23
Q

Why is biocatalyst recyclability important in bioprocessing?

A

It promotes sustainability by enabling repeated use of the catalyst.

24
Q

What metric indicates the effectiveness of each DP step?

A

Step yield, which shows the percentage of the product retained after each process step.

25
Q

How are unit operations grouped in DP?

A

Biomass removal, product concentration, and purification.

26
Q

What type of products require the narrowest purification standards?

A

High-cost, high-purity pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals.

27
Q

What role does flow design play in optimizing DP?

A

It ensures efficient product recovery and reduces process complexity.

28
Q

What should students focus on to understand DP effectively?

A

Familiarity with different bioproducts, flowsheet structures, and unit operation concepts.

29
Q

What are the main learning goals of the “Recovery and Purification of Biological Products” course?

A

To understand and apply principles, concepts, and calculations in product recovery from bioprocesses, focusing on downstream processing through theory, case studies, and unit operations.

30
Q

List three major unit operations involved in downstream processing and describe each briefly.

A
  • Biomass Removal: Separates cells or cell debris from the product, often using filtration or centrifugation.
  • Product Concentration: Concentrates the product by removing other materials with different properties, using methods like ultrafiltration or precipitation.
  • Product Purification: Further purifies the product by removing impurities with similar properties, often using chromatography.
31
Q

What is the difference between low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) bioproducts? Provide examples.

A
  • LMW bioproducts: Small molecules like amino acids and sugars (e.g., lactic acid).
  • HMW bioproducts: Large molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids (e.g., insulin).
32
Q

Why is purity so critical in biopharmaceutical product recovery compared to other bioproducts?

A

Biopharmaceuticals must meet strict safety and efficacy standards, so high purity is essential to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.

33
Q

What is a flowsheet, and why is it essential in bioprocessing?

A

A flowsheet is a visual representation of process steps in downstream processing. It is essential for planning and understanding each stage in product recovery and purification.

34
Q

How do the purity and yield metrics interact in downstream processing, and why does a trade-off often exist?

A

Higher purity typically reduces yield because more of the product is lost during purification steps. Achieving the desired balance between purity and yield is crucial for efficiency and cost.

35
Q

What are some typical challenges faced when removing biomass in downstream processing?

A
  • Large volumes of material to process.
  • Potential clogging in filtration.
  • High costs in centrifugation for large-scale operations.
36
Q

Why are renewable feedstocks emphasized in sustainable bioprocesses?

A

They reduce reliance on finite resources, support environmental sustainability, and often reduce production costs.

37
Q

What type of products are commonly recovered through biocatalysis versus fermentation?

A
  • Biocatalysis: Often produces high-purity products like specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
  • Fermentation: Typically used for bulk products like ethanol or organic acids.
38
Q

Describe how centrifugation is used for biomass removal and mention one advantage of this method.

A

Centrifugation separates cells from liquid by spinning, using density differences. An advantage is its speed and effectiveness at high throughput.

39
Q

What sustainability goals are highlighted in the course, and how do they relate to bioprocessing?

A

Goals 8 (decent work), 9 (innovation), 12 (responsible production), and 13 (climate action) are emphasized, supporting sustainable industrial practices in bioprocessing.

40
Q

Why is it essential to understand both intracellular and extracellular products in downstream processing?

A

Each requires different recovery methods; intracellular products need cell disruption, while extracellular products can often be filtered or centrifuged directly.

41
Q

What are some methods used for product concentration in downstream processing, and what is the main goal of this step?

A
  • Methods: Ultrafiltration, extraction, precipitation.
  • Goal: Increase product concentration by separating it from materials with different properties.
42
Q

How does chromatography function as a purification step, and why is it often used in high-purity applications?

A

Chromatography separates components based on affinity differences. It’s ideal for high-purity applications like pharmaceuticals due to its selectivity.

43
Q

What are the potential effects of improper pH and temperature on protein stability during downstream processing?

A

Incorrect pH or temperature can denature proteins, reducing their activity and stability, and potentially making them unusable.

44
Q

Explain the significance of acoustophoresis for in situ cell removal and one benefit it offers over other methods.

A

Acoustophoresis uses sound waves to separate cells, allowing gentle, continuous cell removal without harsh chemicals or high energy.

45
Q

What is meant by the term ‘unit operation’ in downstream processing?

A

A unit operation is a single process step with a defined function, such as filtration, that contributes to the overall purification or recovery of the product.

46
Q

What factors make downstream processing more complex in biological production than in chemical production?

A

Biological products are often sensitive to conditions, contain contaminants similar to the product, and have high water content, increasing complexity.

47
Q

Why is the step yield metric critical when planning a downstream processing workflow?

A

Step yield helps evaluate efficiency at each stage, allowing adjustments to improve overall process efficiency and reduce waste.

48
Q

What role does the tender process play in the design and installation of new downstream processing units?

A

The tender process evaluates design options, costs, and providers to ensure that new units are cost-effective, meet specifications, and fit operational needs.

49
Q

In terms of product recovery, what is the difference between intracellular and extracellular products?

A
  • Intracellular products are located within cells and require cell disruption.
  • Extracellular products are released into the medium, enabling easier recovery.
50
Q

What types of impurities are typically targeted during product purification?

A

Impurities may include proteins, nucleic acids, or small molecules that are structurally or chemically similar to the target product.

51
Q

How does the concept of ‘mild conditions’ in bioprocesses aid in the production of biological products?

A

Mild conditions prevent degradation, maintain activity, and ensure the structural integrity of sensitive bioproducts like enzymes and proteins

52
Q

What are some of the main challenges when purifying products with similar properties to their impurities?

A

Similar properties make separation difficult, often requiring high-specificity techniques like chromatography, which can be costly and time-consuming.

53
Q

Describe how yield can be improved without sacrificing purity in downstream processing.

A

Yield can improve by optimizing each step, minimizing product loss, carefully controlling conditions, and reducing the number of purification steps.