International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research Vol.1; Issue: 3; July-Sept. 2016 Website: www.gkpublication.in/ijshr Review Article ISSN: 2455-7587 International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research (www.gkpublication.in) 8 Vol.1; Issue: 3; July-September 2016 Downstream Processing in Biotechnology: Research and Studies Sunil J. Kulkarni Datta Meghe College of Engineering, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Received: 11/06/2016 | Revised: 20/07/2016 | Accepted: 20/07/2016 ABSTRACT Biotechnology is important solution to many synthesis issues. It offers less energy intensive, economical and easy solution to synthesis of many chemicals. The choice of substrate, enzyme and reaction conditions needs careful study. Ethanol, citric acid, lactic acid, amino acids, proteins and many other compounds are produced by biochemical pathways. It is said that 80 percent of the process cost in biotechnology goes for downstream processing. The current review summarizes research and studies on downstream processing. Key words: Synthesis, Enzymes, reactions, activity, cost, purity. INTRODUCTION Synthesis of a compound by low cost, economical and environment friendly method is becoming major area of research. The high purity of product and low effluent disposal is becoming important aspect of technology. Biotechnology has potential to solve this problem to considerable extent. Many chemicals and compounds like ethanol, citric acid, amino acid, lactic acid etc. are being synthesized by using biochemical pathways. [1-5] Enzyme catalyzed reactions provide highly specific, energy efficient pathway for producing many compounds. [6-9] Immobilization of enzymes is added advantage with high thermal stability of enzymes. [10-12] It is said that downstream processing consumes 80 percent of efforts in terms of time and money in biotechnology. The research in this field is many times aimed at finding solution to the problem of downstream recovery of compounds. The current review summarizes research and studies on downstream processing. RESEARCH AND STUDIES ON DOWNSTREAM PROCESSING Bibi carried out an investigation on process intensification in downstream processing. [13] His work was aimed at development of highly efficient techniques for downstream processing. He polymerized selected monomers in the presence of a highly soluble cross-linking agent to produce a rigid three dimensional mega porous monolithic structure. According to him, a lower binding capacity of bio- molecules is a limitation. He tried to enhance the binding capacity by particle embedding, direct chemical synthesis or grafting (radiation-induced and chemical induced. The study carried out on parameters like surface area, charge, imprinting factor, selectivity factor, maximum capacity and maximum available binding sites indicated that the imprinted adsorbent could be conveniently utilized for the recovery of CA from cochineal extract. According to him, mass transfer resistance was a major problem. In these studies, it was observed that most of the mass transfer resistance came from pore diffusion. The resistance could be overcome by increase in bulk movement. Carstensen carried out an investigation on in situ product recovery (ISPR). [14] He studied reverse-flow diafiltration. He integrated submerged hollow-fiber membranes in the fermenter in two streams. One supplies the nutrient solution (inside out filtration), the second one extracts product solution (outside- infiltration). These were exchanged alternatively over the same membrane in a