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Recovery and purification of biological products > L1: Classification of molecules > Flashcards

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
How are unit operations grouped in DP?
Biomass removal, product concentration, and purification.
26
What type of products require the narrowest purification standards?
High-cost, high-purity pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals.
27
What role does flow design play in optimizing DP?
It ensures efficient product recovery and reduces process complexity.
28
What should students focus on to understand DP effectively?
Familiarity with different bioproducts, flowsheet structures, and unit operation concepts.
29
What are the main learning goals of the "Recovery and Purification of Biological Products" course?
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
List three major unit operations involved in downstream processing and describe each briefly.
- 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
What is the difference between low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) bioproducts? Provide examples.
- 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
Why is purity so critical in biopharmaceutical product recovery compared to other bioproducts?
Biopharmaceuticals must meet strict safety and efficacy standards, so high purity is essential to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.
33
What is a flowsheet, and why is it essential in bioprocessing?
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
How do the purity and yield metrics interact in downstream processing, and why does a trade-off often exist?
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
What are some typical challenges faced when removing biomass in downstream processing?
- Large volumes of material to process. - Potential clogging in filtration. - High costs in centrifugation for large-scale operations.
36
Why are renewable feedstocks emphasized in sustainable bioprocesses?
They reduce reliance on finite resources, support environmental sustainability, and often reduce production costs.
37
What type of products are commonly recovered through biocatalysis versus fermentation?
- Biocatalysis: Often produces high-purity products like specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals. - Fermentation: Typically used for bulk products like ethanol or organic acids.
38
Describe how centrifugation is used for biomass removal and mention one advantage of this method.
Centrifugation separates cells from liquid by spinning, using density differences. An advantage is its speed and effectiveness at high throughput.
39
What sustainability goals are highlighted in the course, and how do they relate to bioprocessing?
Goals 8 (decent work), 9 (innovation), 12 (responsible production), and 13 (climate action) are emphasized, supporting sustainable industrial practices in bioprocessing.
40
Why is it essential to understand both intracellular and extracellular products in downstream processing?
Each requires different recovery methods; intracellular products need cell disruption, while extracellular products can often be filtered or centrifuged directly.
41
What are some methods used for product concentration in downstream processing, and what is the main goal of this step?
- Methods: Ultrafiltration, extraction, precipitation. - Goal: Increase product concentration by separating it from materials with different properties.
42
How does chromatography function as a purification step, and why is it often used in high-purity applications?
Chromatography separates components based on affinity differences. It’s ideal for high-purity applications like pharmaceuticals due to its selectivity.
43
What are the potential effects of improper pH and temperature on protein stability during downstream processing?
Incorrect pH or temperature can denature proteins, reducing their activity and stability, and potentially making them unusable.
44
Explain the significance of acoustophoresis for in situ cell removal and one benefit it offers over other methods.
Acoustophoresis uses sound waves to separate cells, allowing gentle, continuous cell removal without harsh chemicals or high energy.
45
What is meant by the term 'unit operation' in downstream processing?
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
What factors make downstream processing more complex in biological production than in chemical production?
Biological products are often sensitive to conditions, contain contaminants similar to the product, and have high water content, increasing complexity.
47
Why is the step yield metric critical when planning a downstream processing workflow?
Step yield helps evaluate efficiency at each stage, allowing adjustments to improve overall process efficiency and reduce waste.
48
What role does the tender process play in the design and installation of new downstream processing units?
The tender process evaluates design options, costs, and providers to ensure that new units are cost-effective, meet specifications, and fit operational needs.
49
In terms of product recovery, what is the difference between intracellular and extracellular products?
- Intracellular products are located within cells and require cell disruption. - Extracellular products are released into the medium, enabling easier recovery.
50
What types of impurities are typically targeted during product purification?
Impurities may include proteins, nucleic acids, or small molecules that are structurally or chemically similar to the target product.
51
How does the concept of ‘mild conditions’ in bioprocesses aid in the production of biological products?
Mild conditions prevent degradation, maintain activity, and ensure the structural integrity of sensitive bioproducts like enzymes and proteins
52
What are some of the main challenges when purifying products with similar properties to their impurities?
Similar properties make separation difficult, often requiring high-specificity techniques like chromatography, which can be costly and time-consuming.
53
Describe how yield can be improved without sacrificing purity in downstream processing.
Yield can improve by optimizing each step, minimizing product loss, carefully controlling conditions, and reducing the number of purification steps.

Recovery and purification of biological products (11 decks)

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