Use Of Biotechnology In Daily Life
Use Of Biotechnology In Daily Life
Introduction
Biotechnology applies to several products used daily. To put in a more specific term, biotechnology uses micro-organisms and enzymes to make bio-based products. It is extensively used in various sectors, a few of them being chemicals industry, food industry, detergents industry, paper industry, textile industry, and bio-fuels industry. Let us understand the various benefits of the application of biotechnology in our daily life.
How Biotechnology was invented?
Biotechnology isnāt a new scientific invention; conventional products such as beer, bread, wine, yogurt, and cheese all make use of natural procedures. The principle of biotechnology got invented by Louis Pasteur in the 1800s when he demonstrated that fermentation was the outcome of microbial activity.
Later Sir Alexander Fleming also proved this phenomenon, by extracting penicillin out of the mold in 1928. The research on biotechnology continued with the development of large-scale fermentation methods in the 1940s. After the second world war, the biotechnology revolution started that advanced into potent modern biotechnology.
Microbes and enzymes are the two basic tools needed for execution of phenomena of biotechnology. It produces enzymes that are useful in the manufacturing sector as well as daily life. This field of science involves the microbial generation of enzymes, that are a specialized form of proteins.
These enzymes have progressed to become super-performing bio-catalysts that enable and boosts a complex form of biochemical reactions in the body. These enzyme catalysts make biotechnology a powerful technology.
Alcohol production
Alcohol production is the basic use of biotechnology. Beer is prepared from water, yeast, barley as a source of starch, and a flavoring agent. The starch present in the barley needs to be transformed into sugar via enzymes. Malted form of barley activates these enzymes. Fermentation happens when the yeast metabolizes the sugars to form carbon dioxide and alcohol.
Bio-fuels
Bio-fuel is an important result of biotechnology. It is made by fermenting sugars that are derived from plants to manufacture ethanol. The process of the production of bio-fuels converts plant-oils to form biodiesel. It needs crops such as corn, sugar cane, sugar beet and wheat for it. Bio-fuels like biodiesel and bio-ethanol are mixed with diesel and petrol to meet regulation on the emission of greenhouse gases.
Combination of bio-fuels into road transportation fuel helps in the reduction of carbon impact. Efforts to lower the carbon footprint and creating aviation fuel from bio-degradable feed-stocks is under development. Bio-refineries are built to manufacture low-carbon fuels.
Plastic Bottles
Bio-plastics manufactured from bio-polymers are used in packaging of plastic food, pens, sunglasses, mobile phone cases, packaging of personal care products such as conditioners and shampoos.
Fabrics
A polyester is a synthetic form of polymer fiber that is produced using fossil fuels. It is used for making blankets, clothing, carpets. Many of the biochemicals are even used for producing dyes, nylon, polyester, and tanning agents.
Medicines
Biotechnology has been vital in the manufacture of therapeutic vaccines and drugs that are seen to be impactful in treating diseases, that includes cancers, heart disease, Alzheimerās disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, and AIDS.
Biotechnology aids in conducting medical diagnostic tests to keep the blood protected from the AIDS virus. Pregnancy tests are another example of biotechnology diagnostic product that is beneficial in the detection of pregnancy early and easily at home.
Biotechnology drugs show remarkable potential to reduce the pain and damage to joints successfully. These drugs are providing a lot of relief to men and women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Fabric
Biochemicals are used in procedures to manufacture personal care products like shampoos, skincare, and makeup.
Electricity
The gas generated from bio-refineries when combusted produces power and heat. A bio-refinery can generate adequate heat and energy to be used as a bio-fuel. With the fluctuation of oil prices, worldwide dependency on agricultural chemicals and fossil fuels has sparked an interest in algae cultivation.
Biomass obtained from recycling an Algae can be used in the production of a broad range of products like bio-pharmaceuticals, bio-ethanol, compost for production of crop and bio-gas.
Radiator
The beverage and food industry also use various products that can be manufactured using biochemicals. From bio-plastics that are extensively used for packaging, to fragrances, flavors, souring agents, acidity regulators and sweeteners, biotechnology is significant in manufacturing a broad range of food products. Bio-refineries can extract herbal products, dietary supplements, and specialty chemicals to ripen fruit and make them ready for sale.
Conclusion
Biotechnology has been regarded as one of the most vital technologies that even possess the remarkable potential to resolve the greatest challenges that the world faces today. These are the elimination of food scarcity, and providing alternatives to the rare natural resources. Though the realization of these goals will take a good time, if biotechnology expands at this rate and reaches to its full potential then it can significantly impact the whole world.