Industrial Chemistry and Water Treatment

White Biotechnology and Green Chemistry

White Biotechnology can be regarded as Applied Bio catalysis, with enzymes and microorganisms, aiming at industrial production from bulk and fine chemicals to food and animal feed additives. Bio catalysis has many attractive features in the context of Green Chemistry: mild reaction conditions (physiological pH and temperature), environmentally compatible catalysts and solvent (often water) combined with high activities and chemo-, regio- and stereo selectivities in multifunctional molecules. White Biotechnology supports new applications of chemicals produced via biotechnology.  Environmental aspects of this interdisciplinary combination include: Use of renewable feedstock Optimization of biotechnological processes by means of: New "high performance" microorganisms On-line measurement of substrates and products in bioreactors Alternative product isolation, resulting in higher yields, and lower energy demand. The use of plant-based resources is one of the foundations of the concept of “green chemistry”. Many green chemistry processes make use of white biotechnology tools, and light will be shed on the importance of this technological synergy within the context of industry and factories in the future.  In fact, biotechnology is a way of using biomass or its waste material renewably to produce molecules with high added value for different applications, ranging from pharmaceuticals, agro-food, and cosmetics to plastics, materials and energy.