Methods for processing of biological materials into useful products represent essential core manufacturing activities of the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. On the one hand the techniques involved include well established process engineering methodologies such as mixing, heat transfer, size modification and a variety of separatIon and fermentation procedures. In addition, new bioprocessing practices arising from the exciting recent advances in biotech nology, including innovative fermentation cell culture and enzyme based operations, are rapidly extending the frontiers of bioprocessing. These develop ments are resulting in the introduction to the market place of an awesome range of novel biological products having unique applications. Indeed, the United States Office of Technology Assessment* has concluded that 'competitive advantage in areas related to biotechnology may depend as much on developments in bioprocess engineering as on innovations in genetics, immunology and other areas of basic science'. Advances in analytical instrumentation, computerization and process automation are playing an important role in process control and optimization and in the maintenance of product quality and consistency characteristics. Bioprocessing represents the industrial practice of biotechnology and is multidisciplinary in nature, integrating the biological, chemical and engineering sciences. This book discusses the individual unit operations involved and describes a wide variety of important industrial bioprocesses. I am very grateful to Sanjay Thakur who assisted me in the collection of material for this book.

Bioremediation is a rapidly advancing field and the technology has been applied successfully to remediate many contaminated sites. The goal of every soil remediation method is to enhance the degradation, transformation, or detoxification of pollutants and to protect, maintain and sustain environmental quality.

Advances in our understanding of the ecology of microbial communities capable of breaking down various pollutants and the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which biodegradation occurs have helped us in developing practical soil bioremediation strategies. Chapters dealing with the application of biological methods to soil remediation are contributed from experts authorities in the area of environmental science including microbiology and molecular biology from academic institutions and industry."

The huge expansion of the chemical and petroleum industries in the twentieth century has resulted in the production of a vast array of chem ical compounds and materials that have transformed our lives. The associated large-scale manufacturing, processing and handling activi ties have caused a serious deterioration in environmental quality and created threats to human health. These negative impacts have led to responses and regulations requiring remedial action in support of envi ronmental sustainability. of biotechnological methods through bioremediation, Application has gained prominence as an option for soil remediation methods. Bioremediation is a multidisciplinary approach where biologists, chem ists, soil scientists and engineers work as team to develop and imple ment remediation processes. Bioremediation has now been used successfully to remediate many petroleum-contaminated sites. However, there are as yet no commercial technologies commonly used to reme diate the most recalcitrant contaminants. Nevertheless, bioremediation is a rapidly advancing field and new bio-based remedial technologies are continuing to emerge."

In this volume, experts from universities, government labs and industry share their findings on the microbiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of biodegradation and bioremediation. The text covers numerous topics, including: bioavailability, biodegradation of various pollutants, microbial community dynamics, properties and engineering of important biocatalysts, and methods for monitoring bioremediation processes. Microbial processes are environmentally compatible and can be integrated with non-biological processes to detoxify, degrade and immobilize environmental contaminants.

In this volume, experts from universities, government labs and industry share their findings on the microbiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of biodegradation and bioremediation. The text covers numerous topics, including: bioavailability, biodegradation of various pollutants, microbial community dynamics, properties and engineering of important biocatalysts, and methods for monitoring bioremediation processes. Microbial processes are environmentally compatible and can be integrated with non-biological processes to detoxify, degrade and immobilize environmental contaminants.

The huge expansion of the chemical and petroleum industries in the twentieth century has resulted in the production of a vast array of chem ical compounds and materials that have transformed our lives. The associated large-scale manufacturing, processing and handling activi ties have caused a serious deterioration in environmental quality and created threats to human health. These negative impacts have led to responses and regulations requiring remedial action in support of envi ronmental sustainability. of biotechnological methods through bioremediation, Application has gained prominence as an option for soil remediation methods. Bioremediation is a multidisciplinary approach where biologists, chem ists, soil scientists and engineers work as team to develop and imple ment remediation processes. Bioremediation has now been used successfully to remediate many petroleum-contaminated sites. However, there are as yet no commercial technologies commonly used to reme diate the most recalcitrant contaminants. Nevertheless, bioremediation is a rapidly advancing field and new bio-based remedial technologies are continuing to emerge."

Methods for processing of biological materials into useful products represent essential core manufacturing activities of the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. On the one hand the techniques involved include well established process engineering methodologies such as mixing, heat transfer, size modification and a variety of separatIon and fermentation procedures. In addition, new bioprocessing practices arising from the exciting recent advances in biotech nology, including innovative fermentation cell culture and enzyme based operations, are rapidly extending the frontiers of bioprocessing. These develop ments are resulting in the introduction to the market place of an awesome range of novel biological products having unique applications. Indeed, the United States Office of Technology Assessment. has concluded that 'competitive advantage in areas related to biotechnology may depend as much on developments in bioprocess engineering as on innovations in genetics, immunology and other areas of basic science'. Advances in analytical instrumentation, computerization and process automation are playing an important role in process control and optimization and in the maintenance of product quality and consistency characteristics. Bioprocessing represents the industrial practice of biotechnology and is multidisciplinary in nature, integrating the biological, chemical and engineering sciences. This book discusses the individual unit operations involved and describes a wide variety of important industrial bioprocesses. I am very grateful to Sanjay Thakur who assisted me in the collection of material for this book."

Bioremediation is a rapidly advancing field and the technology has been applied successfully to remediate many contaminated sites. The goal of every soil remediation method is to enhance the degradation, transformation, or detoxification of pollutants and to protect, maintain and sustain environmental quality.

Advances in our understanding of the ecology of microbial communities capable of breaking down various pollutants and the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which biodegradation occurs have helped us in developing practical soil bioremediation strategies. Chapters dealing with the application of biological methods to soil remediation are contributed from experts authorities in the area of environmental science including microbiology and molecular biology from academic institutions and industry."

1.1 Fermentation - eine alte Kunst 1m weiteren Sinne wird bei einer Fermentation organische Materie mit Hilfe von Mikroorganismen einer enzymkatalysierten Stoffumwandlung unterwor fen. Die Giirung wurde iiber die Jahrhunderte regelrecht zu einer Kunst wei terentwickelt. Wein ist seit mindestens 10000 v. Chr. bekannt, und die Hi storiker nehmen an, daB die .Agypter bereits zwischen 5000 und 6000 v. Chr. Bier brauten. Sie lie en Gerste in irdenen Gefa en ankeimen, zerkleinerten sie, teigten an, buken den Brei und trankten schlief31ich alles mit Wasser. Aus diesem Ansatz entstand dann das Bier. Etwa 4000 v. Chr. verwendeten die .Agypter Brauhefe, um bei der Teigsauerung die Bildung von Kohlen dioxid zu erreichen. Die Azteken in Mexiko ernteten Spirulina Algen aus Teichen mit alkalis chen pH-Werten und verwendeten sie als Lebensmittel. Viele lokal bekannte, fermentativ gewonnene Nahrungsmittel und Saucen in Asien und iiberall auf der Welt werden eindeutig schon seit Tausenden von Jahren hergestellt. Heute wei man, daB sie durch Garung, Enzymproduk tion und enzymatische Hydrolyse unter Mithilfe von Oberflachenkulturen gebildet werden. Uber die Umwandlung von Milch in Kase wurde schon 5000 v. Chr. berichtet, als man beobachtete, daB Milch, die in Kalbetmagen transportiert wurde, zum Ausflocken neigte (Kalbermagen enthalten En zyme, die die Milch ausflocken lassen). Essig ist vermutlich bekannt seit Wein hergestellt wird, obgleich die friihesten Zeugnisse tiber Essig aus dem Alten und Neuen Testament stammen. Die friihesten Berichte iiber destil lierte alkoholische Getranke stammen aus China etwa 1000 v. Chr."