Table of Contents
Why Does Downstream Processing Focus on Isolating Products After Fermentation?
Downstream processing in fermentation primarily isolates and purifies target products from broth via separation and refinement techniques, comprising most bioprocess costs for viable commercial output.
Question
What is the main purpose of downstream processing in fermentation?
A. To feed microbes
B. To sterilize the fermenter
C. To isolate and purify the target product
D. To add genetic material
Answer
C. To isolate and purify the target product
Explanation
Downstream processing in fermentation refers to the critical post-fermentation steps designed to recover, separate, and refine the desired product from the complex mixture containing microbial cells, spent media, and impurities. This involves primary operations like solid-liquid separation (e.g., centrifugation or filtration) to remove biomass, followed by purification techniques such as extraction, precipitation, chromatography, and crystallization to achieve the required purity, concentration, and quality for commercial use. The process accounts for 50-80% of total bioprocess costs, emphasizing its importance in making fermentation economically viable by maximizing product yield and minimizing contaminants.