Chemical Aspects of Biotechnology

Abstract

Introduction Biotechnology is technology based on biology in which living organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, plants and animal cells are used to modify various processes and produce useful products. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Part 2, defines biotechnology as ‘any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use’. The word ‘biotechnology’ owes its origin to two Greek words bios meaning ‘pertaining to life’ and technikos meaning ‘involving human knowledge and skills’. The science of biotechnology is not new although its systematic study and scientific applications started only a few decades ago. There are evidences in history to prove that biotechnology was used even thousands of years ago in ancient times to produce foods like bread by adding yeast, for the preparation of beverages like beer and wine by the fermentation of various grains and fruit juices, to convert milk into curd, cheese and yogurt, in the field of medicine, in ayurveda , for strengthening the immune system, selective breeding to improve the quality of crops and livestock by mating organisms of desired characteristics to produce offsprings with specific features. The modern aspect of biotechnology includes genetic engineering where genes are modified to develop special traits within individuals, to make them disease resistant, increase productivity, produce high yielding variety of crops, develop food products, fruits and vegetables that are more nutritious, disease resistant and taste better than the conventional food items. Other tools of modern biotechnology are tissue culture, molecular breeding which help to improve the quality and productivity of plants and animals, increase their commercial value and make them more useful for man and society. Applications of Biotechnology Biotechnology is an applied science with multiple applications in various fields like agriculture, medicines, textiles, paper and pulp, mining and metal refining, waste management, energy sector, food processing, livestock management in marine and aquatic life, forestry, industrial sector, etc. The main applications of biotechnology are discussed here. (i) Biotechnology in agriculture The application of biotechnology to agriculture is called green biotechnology . The use of biotechnological tools can increase the production of crops, develop high yielding and more nutritious crops, improve their resistance to diseases and adverse conditions like drought, develop insect protected biotech crops and thereby reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.