Introduction to Bioprocess engineering

Bioprocess engineering deals with the design and development of equipment and processes for the production of products from biological materials. It involves three main stages - upstream processing which prepares the media and sterilizes the components, fermentation which involves the growth of microorganisms and production of products, and downstream processing which separates and purifies the desired products from the fermentation broth. Bioprocess engineering has played a key role in large-scale production of pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, foods, and other products through application of fermentation and biotechnology. It has significantly contributed to human healthcare with products like antibiotics, vaccines, insulin, and monoclonal antibodies.