Value chain complexity varies depending on the steps involved in getting the finished product.
Biological agents are beneficial in the manufacturing and processing materials based on engineering and scientific principles. Its application includes chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, agriculture, and animal feed industries. In biotechnology, organisms are essential because they contain metabolic pathways and enzymes necessary for the process. Organisms produce chemicals that can be used in applications by converting substrates and raw materials. As a result of genetic engineering, researchers can maximize the output of the desired product at the genetic level.
Raw materials such as cellulosic materials, sugar-based substrates, waste, industrial flue, and syngas are suitable. Certain raw materials, such as amino acids, proteins, and other pharmaceutical products, require specific and purified raw materials. Gene inducers can produce the desired metabolic pathway.
Many biotechnology applications exist in various industries, ranging from cosmetics to agrochemicals. A few products have direct use, and others require further processing to produce the compound. It is rare for products in the food, drug, and agrochemical industries to require regulatory approval since they might negatively impact the environment or human population. Bioplastics' low toxicity and low carbon profile make them more attractive than crude oil-based alternatives in recent years.
"Additionally, it highly depends on the raw material in use. After or before fermentation, the value chain consists of multiple physical and chemical processes."
Biotechnology routes and pathways: Various pathways exist to produce chemicals and materials through biotechnology, depending on the raw materials and the developed technologies regarding microorganisms' ability to process them. Microorganisms may not have the required enzymes or metabolic pathways to process some raw materials directly. Genetic engineering can lend that ability. Pre-processing is a better option for processing those raw materials. Multiple fermentation methodologies play an important role, such as liquid fermentation, where a fermenter filled with nutrients is effective. Solid-form raw materials can maintain temperature and pressure environmental conditions in solid-state fermentation. Several processes use microorganisms directly in the system; some use enzymes extracted from them. Based on the number of steps involved, the system is selected. As a result of the metabolic pathways involved in raw material processing for chemical manufacturing, live microorganisms are better when there are many steps involved. Biochemists extract enzymes for any specific single step involved. The chitin deacetylase enzyme can also remove acetyl groups from chitin.
Chemicals and materials: It is possible to manufacture several chemicals in the chemical and materials industry using biotechnology. These chemicals can be used directly in various applications or as building blocks for high-demand chemicals. A product's value chain complexity varies based on the number of steps involved in obtaining the desired product. Additionally, it highly depends on the raw material in use. After or before fermentation, the value chain consists of multiple physical and chemical processes. Lactic acid is produced directly from sugar fermentations with lactic acid bacteria and then polymerized to polylactic acid (PLA), which is useful in packaging. A second way to produce chemicals would be through gasifying waste to produce syngas, followed by fermentation using microbes. Some biotechnology benefits include reducing dependence on crude-based chemicals, reducing carbon footprints, improving the sustainability of products, and reducing production costs.
Many major regions have pushed the adoption of biotechnological processes due to their advantages. Most chemical and material manufacturers pursue it through research and development or collaborations. Biotechnology provides a sustainable way of manufacturing certain products that can replace crude oil-based chemicals and materials. It faces a few hurdles, which currently need to improve the wide range of adoption of biotechnology in different industries. Many barriers exist regarding investments, economies of scale, and cost competitiveness for biotechnological products. The future of biotechnology sees it making changes in global markets, technological advancements through research and development, and sustainability regulations.
