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Bioprocessing - What is it? How is it used?




Have you ever wondered how vaccines, biofuels, or your favorite brand of yogurt is made?

How it’s made is a science, and the answer has something to do with bioprocessing. From producing food to life-saving medicine, bioprocessing is a key part of creating everyday things we rely on.

What Is Bioprocessing?

Bioprocessing is using living cells and/or their materials to create an end-product. That living stuff can be bacteria, yeast, or maybe even other mammalian cells. It’s like cooking. You throw a bunch of sausages and vegetables and other food items in a big pan and cook away, shuffling each one together as the heat turns things into deliciousness. That bacteria is the sausage.

A strain of bacteria, like E. coli in a controlled, harmless environment, for example, can work wonders. Just like the different components of a dish must be made in their own space, bacteria and all the other living cells that make up bioprocessing must get their own space. That is where bioprocess containers become useful.

How Does Bioprocessing Work?

Scientists and engineers work tirelessly to take the guesswork out of bioprocessing. That means bioprocessing combines science and engineering. Scientists provide the insight and understanding of the natural process we want to happen. 

They create, develop, and optimize processes with engineers. After that, engineers efficiently translate theory to praxis. Microorganisms are employed to produce high-quality products, meeting predefined standards, like quantity and speed, and bioprocess containers are essential to this science for safety and biosecurity.

The Role of Bioprocess Containers

One of the biggest parts of bioprocessing is the use of the equipment needed to house the organisms used in the process. Bioprocess containers play a big role in creating this system where microorganisms need to work and grow in the way they should. 

They create the right environment where they can thrive so the production is effective and safe. Fermentation, cell culture, or biopharmaceutical production are only examples of processes that need a bioprocess container.

Real-World Applications of Bioprocessing

Bioprocessing doesn’t stick to the limitations of labs and manufacturing centers. It’s a concept that creates solutions that have an impact on everyday life, such as producing cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly biofuels. 

These can be used to generate renewable energy sources without the heavy footprint of traditional fossil fuels. The pharmaceutical industry also uses bioprocessing for vaccines and other drugs, especially those necessary to push back global medical emergencies.