Bioreactor and Fermentor:
Role in Pharmaceutical and Other Applications

The purpose of the fermentor / bioreactor is to provide a contained, controlled, aseptic and homogeneous environment in which fermentation can be performed safely and practically to achieve the desired objectives. Microbial fermentation involves transformation of organic compounds used in food, pharmaceuticals and fragrance industries. Microbes have commercially exploited to obtain several important products like primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, peonies, vaccines, gums and even transformed products in large-scale fermentors.

Biotransformed products :

Microorganisms have the ability to biotransform compounds quickly. Streospecific reduction, oxidation, dehydration, amiumation, pharmacological properties are few examples.

The production of vinegar is an example of the biotransformations of steroids, terpenoids, antibiotics and polysaccharides.

Plant cell bioreactor

Like microbes plant cell can be used for the production of

• Pharmaceuticals products like codeine, scopolamine, vincristine and dogoxone
• Chemicals : Pyrethrin, sallanin, rotenone and other allopathic chemicals
  

Animal Cell Bioreactor

The critical aspect of the mammalian cell bioreactor is the provision of O₂. This is done by membrane aeration so as to avoid cellular damage.

Some of the important products are erythroprotein, factor VIII, monoclonal antibodies, terternary vaccine, human vaccine and growth hormones etc.,

Microbial biomass

The production of yeast and production of single cell protein are the best example of biomass production.

Organic solvents:

acetone, butanol, ethanol and amyl alcohol

Foods beverages:

Wine, beer, cheese, fermented milk, pickles, yeast and vinegar.

Organic acids and amino acids:

Lactic, citric, acetic, gluconic, butyric, L - Glumatic acid and L - lysine

Vitamins and Growth Stimulants

B12, riboflavin, Vitamin A and Gibberrellins.

Enzymes:

Amylases, protease, pectinases and invertase.

Flavoring agents

Monosodium glutamate and nucleotides