Primary Metabolites Flashcards
What are primary metabolites?
Compounds that are directly involved in the normal growth, development, reproduction and metabolism of an organism
They convert nutrients into products
Give some examples of primary metabolites
Amino acids
Lactic acid
Ethanol
In terms of potable alcohol, what is starch converted to?
Ethanol
In terms of industrial solvents, what can primary metabolites be used as a substitute for?
Petrochemicals
e.g. saccharomyces produces ethanol which can be used as a biofuel (more sustainable)
Name two commercial uses for amino acids
To treat dietary deficiency diseases
To act as components of processed food
Define auxotroph
A mutant organism (especially a bacterium or fungus) that requires a particular additional nutrient which the normal strain does not
What is another name for an organic acid?
Citric Acid
What are the commercial uses of citric acid?
Acidulate
Plastic manufacture
Processed cheese manufacture
What are the principles of production of organic acids?
Pelleted morphology
- reduced oxygen penetration to the pellet results in interruption of the Krebs cycle
What is another name for acetic acid? What is it a product of?
Vinegar
Ethanol oxidation
What type of saccharide can be obtained from seaweed?
Polysaccharides
What are can polysaccharides be used for?
To make kanthan gum
What are lipids used for?
Dietary additives
To produce biodegradable plastic
Which vitamin is an example of a primary metabolite?
Vitamin B12
