DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY PROGRAMME)
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
COVENANT UNIVERSITY
COURSE COMPACT
COURSE CODE:
BCH 413
COURSE TITLE:
INDUSTRIAL BIOCHEMISTRY
UNITS:
2
SEMESTER/ SESSION:
ALPHA, 2013/ 2014
COURSE LECTURERS: *Dr. S. N. Chinedu1 and Mrs. O. E. Omotosho2
*Course Coordinator
A.
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE:
The course examines the biochemistry of industrial processes involving the use of living
microorganisms or their cell products. Emphasis is on fermentation processes, selection
and application of industrial organisms and enzymes, and the manipulation of genetic and
physiological factors to achieve an optimized production of the desired products.
The aim is to introduce the students to the application of biochemical principles and
techniques in the fermentation processes applicable in alcohol beverage, pharmaceutical,
food supplement, organic chemical, enzyme and bio-treatment industries.
B.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/ GOALS:
At the end of this course, the students should be able to:

Describe the microbial genome and extrachromosomal DNA.

Explain the processes involved in gene expression and the control mechanisms.

Describe the types of fermentation industries and the classifications of microorganisms
involved in industrial processes.

Discuss the production and optimization of industrial enzymes.

Explain the processes for screening and selecting industrial microorganisms.

Describe the types of fermentation processes and the methods of development and
evaluation.
C.
METHODS OF LECTURE DELIVERY /TEACHING AIDS
Lecture Delivery and Teaching Aids include

Guided instructions

Transparencies and/ or Power point presentations

Interactive classroom session

Transparencies

Diagrams
D.
COURSE OUTLINES
Module 1
Industrial microorganisms and enzymes1
Week 1
Industrial application of microorganisms
Week 2
Industrial microorganisms: screening and selection methods
Week 3
Industrial enzymes: procedures for optimized production
Module 2
Microbial genetics1
Week 4
Microbial genome and extrachromosomal DNA (plasmids)
Week 5
Gene expression: overview of the flow of genetic information
Week 6
Control of gene expression
Module 3
Microbial physiology and production of metabolites1
Week 7
Genes, enzymes, metabolites and metabolic pathways
Week 8
Control mechanisms of metabolic pathways: applications in Industrial
Processes
Week 9
Methods for overproduction of metabolites
Mid-term Test
Module 4
Fermentation processes2
Week 10
Fermentations: Batch and continuous culture methods
Week 11
The chemostat and application in industrial fermentations
Week 12
Fermentations: process evaluation and development
Week 13
Tutorials
Week 14
Revision and evaluation
E.
TUTORIALS
Week 13 and 14 will be devoted to tutorials and revisions of the course.
F.
STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME/ METHOD OF GRADING
1.
2.
Continuous Assessment
30 Marks
(i)
Test 1
5 Marks
(ii)
Test 2
5 Marks
(iii)
Mid-Semester Test
20 Marks
Semester Examination
70 Marks
G.
GROUND RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following ground rules and regulations shall be observed:

Mandatory 75% class attendance,

No eating or dozing in the classroom or laboratory,

Active participation in all activities,

All class assignments must be submitted on time,

Punctuality to classes must be observed.
H.
TOPICS FOR TERM PAPERS/ ASSIGNMENTS
(i)
Discuss the processes involved in the selection of industrial microorganisms.
(ii)
What are industrial enzymes and how can you optimize their production?
(iii)
Describe the microbial genome and explain the importance of plasmids found in
some microorganisms.
(iv)
Outline the flow of genetic information microorganisms and describe the control of
gene expression.
(v)
Give an outline of a specific metabolic pathway and show the metabolite(s) and end
product(s) of the pathway.
(vi)
Describe the different mechanisms of metabolic control and explain how they can be
employed to overproduce desired metabolites.
(vii)
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different fermentation processes.
(viii)
Describe the chemostat and its applications in industrial processes.
(ix)
Explain how to develop and evaluate a fermentation process.
I.
ALIGNMENT WITH UNIVERSITY VISION AND GOALS
Application of Biochemical techniques to industrial processes is in alignment with the
University’s vision and goals.
J.
INDUSTRIAL RELEVANCE
The course is essential to understanding the role of Biochemists in fermentation industries.
K.
RECOMMENDED READING
1. Lehninger, A. Principles of Biochemistry (5th edition)
2. Tinoco I. Jnr et al., Physical Chemistry: Principles and Applications in Biological
Sciences (4th edition).