Chapter 8 - Separation processes for biotechnology in the food industry

Abstract

This chapter discusses some new developments in bioseparations that will play a key role in turning the technical feasibility of emerging biotechnologies into economic viability. Biotechnology undoubtedly offers great potential for novel products and processes in the food industry. The realization of this potential is dependent on many factors, the most significant being the development of suitable downstream processing techniques. Now that biotechnology is maturing as an industrial and commercial proposition, the requirements for bioseparations processes are of increasing importance. Although separation science was considered mature when biotechnology was in its infancy, there are now new issues to be investigated and new challenges to be met. These include: requirement for a low cost final product, high volume operation, complex, poorly defined starting materials, variation of starting material characteristics, rigorous legislation to ensure safety of products and processes and the requirement for R&D specific to the needs of this sector. The chapter also explores the preparation of bulk enzymes for food use, role of genetic manipulation in bioseparations, column chromatography, bioselective separations, partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems, and process design and optimization.