QA.A bio-PDO production process will also produce microbial biomass. A huge surplus biomass of roughly 10% of the PDO mass should be expected. A good use of this microbial biomass could be food of feed.
Which organism properties disqualify their use in food/feed production from microbial biomass?
1/Pathogenicity 2/Phage sensitivity 3/Non-GRAS (GRAS = Generally Regarded As Safe status granted by FDA)4/ High growth rate 5/ Low production yield 6/Aerobic 7/Anaerobic
QB.Please indicate drivers that promote the transition to a biobased economy.
1/Increasing antibiotic resistance 2/Concerns about climate change 3/Novel nanotechnology 4/Energy-security of nations 5/Lowering waste production (incl. CO2)6/ Development of better storage options for electrical energy 7/Depletion of fossil resources 8/Obamacare 9/Increasing use of wind energy 10/Increasing availability of birth control methods 11/The need for sustainable organic (carbon-containing) molecules 12/A growing world population that deserves access to basic needs and a good environment.13/ The possibility to add sustainable value to the food chain (integral use of biomass) 14/Increasing feasibility of 3D printing technology 15/Decreasing use of solar energy 16/Opportunities for local farmers 17/Decreasing population growth
For question A, the answers are going to be:
-Pathogenicity
-Non GRAS
2/Concerns about climate change
4/Energy-security of nation
7/Depletion of fossil resources
QA: The organism properties that disqualify their use in food/feed production from microbial biomass are:
1. Pathogenicity: Organisms that are pathogenic can cause diseases in humans and animals, hence they cannot be used as a food/feed source.
2. Phage sensitivity: Phages are viruses that infect bacteria. If an organism is highly sensitive to phages, it may not be suitable for food/feed production as it can be easily contaminated.
3. Non-GRAS: If an organism does not have the Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) status granted by the FDA, it means that it is not considered safe for consumption and therefore cannot be used for food/feed production.
6. Anaerobic: Anaerobic organisms require an oxygen-free environment to survive. As most food/feed production processes require aerobic conditions, such organisms may not be suitable for food/feed production.
QB: The drivers that promote the transition to a biobased economy are:
1. Increasing antibiotic resistance: The rise in antibiotic resistance has led to a greater focus on alternative solutions, such as biobased products, for various applications.
2. Concerns about climate change: The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change has pushed for the development of sustainable, low-carbon alternatives, including biobased materials and fuels.
4. Energy security of nations: The depletion of fossil resources and geopolitical concerns over oil supply have driven the search for renewable and locally sourced energy options, such as biofuels.
5. Lowering waste production (incl. CO2): Biobased processes can help reduce waste production and emissions, leading to a more sustainable and circular economy.
6. Development of better storage options for electrical energy: Biobased materials, such as biomass-derived batteries or energy storage systems, can contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy storage technologies.
7. Depletion of fossil resources: The finite nature of fossil resources and the need for long-term sustainability have increased the urgency to transition towards renewable and biobased alternatives.
12. A growing world population that deserves access to basic needs and a good environment: The increasing demand for resources and the need to ensure sustainable access to food, energy, and other necessities for a growing global population drive the development of biobased solutions.
13. The possibility to add sustainable value to the food chain (integral use of biomass): Biobased products can help create a more sustainable and efficient food production system by utilizing biomass waste as a source of value-added products.
16. Opportunities for local farmers: Biobased industries can provide new market opportunities for local farmers, allowing them to diversify their income and contribute to regional development.
17. Decreasing population growth: The need to feed and support a growing global population requires sustainable and efficient resource utilization, which can be achieved through biobased processes.
It is worth mentioning that not all of these drivers have a direct link to a biobased economy, but they can contribute to shaping the global context and priorities for the transition towards biobased solutions.