Glossary

The concentration of microbial matter per unit volume. Microbial matter includes viruses, bacteria, yeast, mold, and parts thereof.

The control of living biological contamination within established limits.

A process that provides a probability of survival of less than 1 in a million for the bioburden present in the load. It requires information on the number and resistance of the bioburden to the decontamination process and requires ongoing monitoring or control over the bioburden

In bioprocessing, an enzyme that activates or speeds up a biochemical reaction.

The product of a chemical reaction in a living organism.

The study of chemical processes in living things. Despite the dramatic differences in the appearance of living things, the basic chemistry of all organisms is strikingly similar. Even tiny, one-celled creatures carry out essentially the same reactions that each cell of a complex organism, such as man, carries out.

An electronic device that uses organic molecules to form a semiconductor.

An agent that can kill all pathogenic and non-pathogenic living organisms, including spores. More general than bacteriocide, biocide includes insecticides and any compound toxic to any living thing.

Cleanroom used for products and processes that are sensitive to microbiological contamination.

Contamination of materials, devices, individuals, surfaces, liquids, gases, or air with viable particles.

The control of living organisms (especially pests) by biological means. Any process using deliberately introduced living organisms to restrain the growth and development of other, very often pathogenic, organisms, such as the use of spider mites to control cassava mealy bug, or the introduction of myxomatosis into Australia to control rabbits. The term also applies to use of disease-resistant crop cultivars. Biotechnology approaches biocontrol in various ways, such as using fungi, viruses or bacteria which are known to attack an insect or weed pest.

Conversion of one chemical into another by living organisms, as opposed to their conversion by enzymes (which is biotransformation) or by chemical processes. The usefulness of bioconversion is much the same as that of biotransformation – in particular its extreme specificity and ability to work in moderate conditions. However, bioconversion has several other properties, including the possibility of having several chemical steps. A major commercial application is in the manufacture of steroids.The “basic” steroid molecule, often isolated from plants, is itself a very complicated molecule, and not one that is easy to modify by normal chemical means to produce the very specific molecules needed for drug use. However, a particular type of bioconversion that attacks only specific bits of the molecule can be used. Bioconversion is particularly useful for introducing chemical changes at specific points in large, complex molecules.

Material that can be broken down by the action of microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) or other natural physical process (such as sunlight).

Biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals.

The use of artificial tissues, organs and organ components to replace parts of the body that are damaged, lost or malfunctioning.

A bioremediation strategy that involves adding nutrients or oxygen, thereby bolstering the activity of microbes as they breakdown pollutants.

A scientific basis on which generic and brand name drugs are compared with one another. Drugs are bioequivalent if they enter circulation at the same rate when given in similar doses under similar conditions.

The branch of ethics that deals with the life sciences and their potential impact on society. At one extreme, it can be enormously useful in focusing attention on problems that need to be confronted; at the other extreme, it can become a name-calling argument between the “pro-biotechnology” and “antibiotechnology” schools of thought, which, as it reduces discussion to epithets and clich? can make better sound bites.

A film of microorganisms or cell components adhering to surfaces submerged in or subjected to fluid environments.

Microbial community, frequently enclosed in exocellular polymers, that adheres to a surface.NOTE: Biofilms develop on wet surfaces of rooms, equipment and machinery that handle organic matter in non-aseptic conditions (e.g. in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or food factories; hospitals; kitchens; water pipes; ventilation ducts; etc.).

A collection of microorganisms, extracellular polymeric products, and organic matter located at the interface in solid-liquid, gas-liquid, or liquid-liquid biphasic systems.

A gaseous, liquid or solid fuel that contains energy derived from a biological source. For example, rapeseed oil or fish liver oil can be used in place of diesel fuel in modified engines. A commercial application is the use of modified rapeseed oil, which – as rapeseed methyl ester (RME) – can be used in modified diesel engines, and is sometimes named bio-diesel.

A mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the bacterial decomposition of organic wastes and used as a fuel.

A contained system, such as a fermentor, into which biological agents are introduced along with other materials so as to effect their multiplication or their production of other substances by reaction with the other materials. Biogenerators are generally fitted with devices for regulation, control, connection, material addition, and material withdrawal.