10 Everyday uses of Biotechnology
Industrial Biotechnology uses enzymes to make bio-based products like chemicals, ingredients, detergents, materials and biofuels.
![Becky Fields Becky Fields](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/becky-fields.jpg?w=100&h=100&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1559220423&s=f937cac0e960a90804359467e96d1d0d)
Corporate Communications Manager
(she/her)
What is industrial biotechnology? Is it a complicated process? Is it something to do with enzymes, modules or bugs?
What if I told you all the above is true and what if I told you industrial biotechnology is applied to the many products that are in your home and you use on an everyday basis. Specifically, industrial biotechnology uses enzymes and micro-organisms to make bio-based products in sectors such as chemicals, food ingredients, detergents, paper, textiles and biofuels.
Industrial biotechnology is one of the most promising technologies around; it has the potential to address some of the world’s greatest challenges, such as feeding a growing population and offering new alternatives to our scarce natural resources. Although there is a long way to go, if industrial biotechnology reaches its full potential it has the potential to impact the world.
Biotechnology is not a new concept; traditional products like bread, beer, cheese, wine, and yoghurt all make use of natural processes. In the 1800s, Louis Pasteur proved that fermentation was the result of microbial activity. Then in 1928, Sir Alexander Fleming managed to extract penicillin from mold. In the 1940s, large-scale fermentation techniques were developed to make industrial quantities of this wonder drug, but it wasn’t until after the second world war, that the biotechnology revolution began, making way to modern industrial biotechnology as we know today.
Since that time, industrial biotechnology has produced enzymes for use in our daily lives and for the manufacturing sector. In the main, industrial biotechnology involves the microbial production of enzymes, which are specialised proteins. These enzymes have evolved in nature to be super-performing biocatalysts that facilitate and speed-up complex biochemical reactions. These amazing enzyme catalysts are what make industrial biotechnology such a powerful technology.
Below are 10 ways industrial biotechnology is in our homes.
Alcohol production is one of the most basic applications of industrial biotechnology. For instance, beer is made from water, a starch source such as barley, brewer’s yeast and a flavouring such as hops. The starch in the barley must be converted to sugar by enzymes (which are activated when the barley is malted) then fermented (the brewer’s yeast metabolises the sugars to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide). Enzymes and microbes are two common tools used in industrial biotechnology.
![Beer Beer](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-a-beer2.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223484&s=6b2fe4a369675f2ac3ac63ebf83ef5f8 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-a-beer2.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223484&s=3ad372c7220fc0d349d105772f0c75a2 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-a-beer2.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223484&s=dfdf194ca033d02dc2d9845d70582d4e 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-a-beer2.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223484&s=f81ddb4aa3252ccfcc7f85770d9b195a 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-a-beer2.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223484&s=2739182eb0d56a4a67807792ce2479fd 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-a-beer2.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223484&s=92e821ac484cf13560d41246d8450251 960w)
First generation biofuel is produced by fermenting plant-derived sugars to ethanol, using a similar process to that used in beer and wine-making, or by converting plant-oils to biodiesel. It requires crops such as sugar cane, corn, wheat, oil seed rape or sugar beet. Biofuels such as bio ethanol and biodiesel are blended with petrol and diesel to meet legislation on greenhouse gas emissions. Blending bio fuels into road transport fuel can reduce their carbon impact. The fuel quality directive allows for up to 10% ethanol to be blended into petrol. Reducing the carbon footprint by producing aviation fuel from bio-based feedstocks is also heavily in development, with biorefineries being constructed to produce low-carbon alternative fuels to fossil-derived jet fuel.
![Wheat Wheat](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-b-biodiesel.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223601&s=2a9706ea10cabb57a7bfd2bfd22d0457 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-b-biodiesel.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223601&s=4cd834c80d032540c6e0a6e46feba9a6 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-b-biodiesel.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223601&s=a1cdc81e93b2e5db933bcb4cbd00da4e 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-b-biodiesel.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223601&s=deb1a6ee994e6be1dcbc62a335943b7e 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-b-biodiesel.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223601&s=12b6096e5c661f04863e9a2e6ecfbc7c 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-b-biodiesel.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223601&s=4fcc9490b2bfdc228c14227119266e9a 960w)
Such products come either directly from cells, or are made using enzymes taken from cells. In a way, cells are biofactories, with production lines of enzymes (workers) assembling our desired product. We can either use the whole factory or just specific workers to produce what we want, i.e. whole cells or isolated enzymes.
In addition to using them as tools to make biotech products, cells and enzymes can also be biotech products themselves. For instance: probiotic yogurts and non-soya veggie burgers contain microbial cells; and enzymes are used in washing detergents, food processing, cosmetics and much more.
![Cells and enzymes are used to make washing detergents Cells and enzymes are used to make washing detergents](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-c-detergent.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223514&s=aba33323319a2667facd9a5d6adde20d 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-c-detergent.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223514&s=f363b04c08124bde5acd8958d8e15526 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-c-detergent.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223514&s=a27925b0fa9d5c79b4069087c02ba195 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-c-detergent.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223514&s=7751ca3bbef30c363837feb1243b95fa 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-c-detergent.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223514&s=9f28b231052565e24ed729f11dea3d14 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-c-detergent.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223514&s=6c2d303b09fab5cb95616495309768e0 960w)
Traditionally, the industrial sugar used for microbial fermentation is extracted from cereal crops, however only a small proportion of the crop is used, as the majority of sugars are inaccessible to traditional processes. The remaining fraction is known as lignocellulosic biomass and is generally discarded. Development is ongoing to access the sugars locked up in waste-derived feedstocks such as agricultural residues, forestry residues and post consumer waste.
![Sugar Sugar](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-d-sugar.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223602&s=efff6323cfc4dc338ae4bac58d2948a3 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-d-sugar.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223602&s=df1e46b04c5cec76bc98966e9d814e04 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-d-sugar.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223602&s=2387195a8259bf7b85bcbdfb35bb9dea 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-d-sugar.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223602&s=fac29e1608042cfa5b50c2473006850a 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-d-sugar.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223602&s=2a589f5faf29185e50504862fd684aa6 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-d-sugar.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223602&s=b7168072d4422f915c2f3a7dd684781d 960w)
Bioplastics, made from biopolymers are already utilised in plastic food packaging, mobile phone cases, sunglasses, pens and personal care packaging for products such as shampoos and conditioners. CPI is investigating other potential applications for products such as Dyson vacuum cleaners.
![Plastic Bottles Plastic Bottles](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-e-plastics.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223676&s=4290cce8667033b9e2fe1dc90a3a7d32 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-e-plastics.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223676&s=c5864094f6e55f4773f049a697e9c08a 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-e-plastics.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223676&s=62f4e343ad4b37374e43d574d08b2398 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-e-plastics.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223676&s=52d3311de274edce26ff4c53a8dea0ea 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-e-plastics.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223676&s=f2d86d1e59c0a28b701def2f3317ef34 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-e-plastics.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223676&s=b647851d51b04dfa5fbccaaf4966b4ff 960w)
Fabrics have been in use for most of this century and the fermentation vat is probably the oldest known dyeing process.
Polyester is a synthetic polymer fiber produced from fossil fuel and is used to make clothing, blankets, carpets, and other fabrics. Many biochemicals are also used in the production of dyes, tanning agents, nylon and polyester, all of which are vital materials in the production of textiles for carpets, clothing and upholstery.
![Fabric Fabric](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-f-fabric.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223777&s=8c9b3a906a6306fb012709cb640ca362 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-f-fabric.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223777&s=da82d01426636d7636c9b01d18702a9b 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-f-fabric.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223777&s=8d1d58610d927872ba6b89527bbc93c4 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-f-fabric.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223777&s=3b49b59e30e223bae80135e333a56bdb 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-f-fabric.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223777&s=50c4cb06b3fedce29f210d6f249187fb 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-f-fabric.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223777&s=ce19617b2720ada8af638547316aa823 960w)
In the future, many different consumer products will contain materials derived from bio-based feedstocks. Biochemicals may also be utilised in processes to formulate personal care products such as make up, shampoos and skin care. Extracted Cellulose Fibres are absorbent and tough, and can be extracted from raw materials for use in composites as a replacement for glass, and in many applications where absorbency is needed, such as use in nappies, cat litter and sanitary products.
![Skin Cream Skin Cream](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-g-skin.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223772&s=ce3536bde533a6b56cffc67c7855cbb3 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-g-skin.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223772&s=fc79c55f65fc09de41f7d211e875a202 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-g-skin.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223772&s=156d8b2b0e7c684db83b5b6326eff5eb 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-g-skin.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223772&s=01ee19c3ab444d81bdfb328772669e79 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-g-skin.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223772&s=bfc04a55d8d2f6e5ea35a8f05e05f002 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-g-skin.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223772&s=9610b57d0650262f5227ea5bc46bdfbe 960w)
Gas from biorefineries can be combusted to produce heat and power. Methane can be directly injected in the gas grid to heat homes and produce electricity. A biorefinery will produce enough energy and heat to cover its own parasitic load and also be a net exporter to the grid.
Energy can also be produced from algae as a biofuel. Algae uses photosynthesis to grow oil rich algae in controlled conditions. Fluctuating oil prices, global reliance on fossil fuels and agricultural chemicals have ignited interest in farming algae. Algae can grow in areas that are not suitable for agriculture and therefore don’t impact on food crops. CPI is working on projects to allow the biomass from the algae to be recycled and used to produce a wide variety of products such as bioethanol, biopharmaceuticals, biogas and compost for crop production.
![Radiator Radiator](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-h-radiator.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223766&s=3dc14e48df8dcf9ce60288f9e413b585 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-h-radiator.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223766&s=41f40008f0530002df231f92d346fb5d 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-h-radiator.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223766&s=1c714b5c02b2c1ead29b2b10e8f1b318 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-h-radiator.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223766&s=adb289fa62c0e8e94cccb1f75e5afe53 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-h-radiator.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223766&s=9be73de7ef31c8e04aca9d86f39d9c7e 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-h-radiator.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223766&s=1f71ee81ef2c89d1c01d6ffec29719c6 960w)
The food and drink industry uses many products that can be produced using biochemicals — from bioplastics which are now widely used for packaging in supermarkets to flavours, fragrances, sweeteners, souring agents and acidity regulators which are used in a wide range of food products.
Biorefineries can also extract neutraceuticals such as dietary supplements and herbal products, and specialist chemicals can even be used to help ripen fruit ready for sale.
![Food can be produced using biochemicals Food can be produced using biochemicals](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-i-food.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223753&s=49175eba6bee51b36587c639f55b4144 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-i-food.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223753&s=793445cf85d91620d5c2a5e69934b9d5 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-i-food.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223753&s=76f5d2c178cbfc04b0c9d9f30423f739 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-i-food.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223753&s=de2e1090e2904683a5697443a22955bc 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-i-food.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223753&s=ba37d5c39db59b6c4cc921cc84396e0c 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-i-food.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223753&s=bc9107a0d6f10c54963b0b910f5171ac 960w)
Industrial Biotechnology can present a significant opportunity to develop medicines that have been difficult to produce via other means due to purity issues. Bio-processing can be used to develop new pathways to convert low cost feedstocks into high value products, including active pharmaceuticals and their intermediates.
![Industrial Biotechnology can help to develope new medicines Industrial Biotechnology can help to develope new medicines](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-j-pharma.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223748&s=46f5f84393dba272fb26d0a3bec02485 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-j-pharma.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223748&s=32ad022b1dd0fa0317e6700714d7b6a0 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-j-pharma.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223748&s=ee400e246ff63170536fc0474affd388 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-j-pharma.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223748&s=98648ca3288d4cfbebd332606ace60a7 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-j-pharma.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223748&s=f83c00aec41d556b9fcdfa08ebd9fbe0 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/everyday-j-pharma.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223748&s=3267e6d0d249c4f1d768d3523588efba 960w)
If this list is meant to do one thing and one thing alone, it should make you realise how important industrial biotechnology is, not only in our everyday life but also in improving the way we live. The technology is constantly evolving along with our economic landscape, with CPI’s National Industrial Biotechnology Facility we have already seen many companies commercialise products through pure biotechnology and with the recent opening of our C1 gas facility we hope to see many more take this exciting route to a sustainable economy.
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