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BB2150 Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Theory 7.5 credits

Industriell- och miljömikrobiologi, teori

  • Educational level

    Second cycle

  • Academic level (A-D)

    D

  • Subject area

  • Grade scale

    A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

At present this course is not scheduled to be offered.

Learning outcomes

The course gives theoretical knowledge about the metabolic foundation for usage of microorganisms in technical processes and for the understanding of the microbial activity in nature and microbial researched problems.   

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • describe those mechanisms which regulate the cell’s metabolism in relationship to the changes in the environment
  • explain how the cell’s metabolism is affected by environmental changes and identify the consequences of this for the cell and for biotechnological production of recombinant proteins and cellular metabolites, and (in occurring cases) suggest measures to improve the production
  • categorize the different types of microbial energy metabolism and describe the interaction between these in the biogeochemical cycles in nature, and identify relevant types of metabolism for a given biotechnological process
  • describe the principles for soil sanitation and composting, discern possible problems and suggest measures to mitigate them
  • describe the most common chemical reactions involved in decomposition of food and how the physiological-chemical environment affects microflora
  • describe the most common food-controlled pathogens’ properties, spreading and role in different types of food
  • describe the different conservation and disinfection methods and their mechanisms
  • describe the microbial and enzymatic reactions involved in the manufacturing of fermented food
  • mention the most common microbiological analysis methods which are used in food control

Course main content

Metabolism and physiology in industrial microorganisms: the metabolic basis for bioprocesses.  Physiological stress responses. Quorum sensing. Secondary metabolism. Environmental microbiology  with applications: extremophile microorganisms. Composting and biological soil sanitation. Xenobiotics. Anaerobic metabolism. Microbial energy transformations: methane and ethanol. Environmental cycle. Food microbiology: fermented food. Methods to limit microbial activity through sterilization, conservation, and disinfection.

Eligibility

Prerequisites

BB1030 Microbiology or BB2100 General course and BB1090 Biochemistry, Theory or BB2050 Biochemistry, Theory.

Literature

Brock: Biology of Microorganisms;

S. -O. Enfors and L. Häggström: Bioprocess Technology. Fundamentals and Applications, KTH 2000;

S.-O. Enfors: Livsmedelsmikrobiologi (compendium).

Remaning literature will be announced at the course start.

Examination

  • TEN1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • TEN2 - Examination, 1.5 credits, grade scale: P, F

Requirements for final grade

Written examination (TEN1, 6,0 credits, grading scale A-F) and home work (TEN2, 1,5 credits, grading scale Pass/Fail).

Offered by

BIO/Biotechnology

Contact

Gen Larsson, gen@biotech.kth.se, +46 8 553 783 16

Examiner

Gen Larsson, gen@biotech.kth.se

Version

Course plan valid from: Autumn 07.
Examination information valid from: Autumn 07.