Downstream processing

<p>Downstream processing refers to the recovery and the purification of <a href="/facts/Biosynthetic_product/aFk7Tk7f">biosynthetic products</a>, particularly <a href="/facts/Pharmaceutical/h9mhwWP2">pharmaceuticals</a>, from natural sources such as <a href="/facts/Animal_tissue/H7CpML7A">animal tissue</a>, <a href="/facts/Plant_tissue/Xt3VtbKz">plant tissue</a> or <a href="/facts/Fermentation_(food)/pWDlWfkd">fermentation</a> <a href="/facts/Broth/ePIRyGd6">broth</a>, including the recycling of salvageable components as well as the proper treatment and disposal of waste. It is an essential step in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals such as <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotics</a>, <a href="/facts/Hormone/WFnBnINJ">hormones</a> (e.g. <a href="/facts/Insulin/oXG0myt1">insulin</a> and <a href="/facts/Human_growth_hormone/SLEJ1fws">human growth hormone</a>), <a href="/facts/Antibodies/MX8pdTdP">antibodies</a> (e.g. <a href="/facts/Infliximab/pk8CdtFV">infliximab</a> and <a href="/facts/Abciximab/NyYBWkPU">abciximab</a>) and <a href="/facts/Vaccine/QcXzLug2">vaccines</a>; antibodies and <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzymes</a> used in diagnostics; <a href="/facts/Industrial_enzymes/QdYyE4vL">industrial enzymes</a>; and natural fragrance and <a href="/facts/Flavor_compound/h3MF95yb">flavor compounds</a>. Downstream processing is usually considered a specialized field in <a href="/facts/Biochemical_engineering/UWbEzPjo">biochemical engineering</a>, which is itself a specialization within <a href="/facts/Chemical_engineering/Fb64amQf">chemical engineering</a>. Many of the key technologies were developed by chemists and biologists for laboratory-scale separation of biological and synthetic products, whilst the role of biochemical and chemical engineers is to develop the technologies towards larger production capacities.
</p><p>Downstream processing and analytical bioseparation both refer to the separation or purification of <a href="/facts/Product_(chemistry)/8uCoDUdv">biological products</a>, but at different scales of operation and for different purposes. Downstream processing implies manufacture of a purified product fit for a specific use, generally in marketable quantities, while analytical bioseparation refers to purification for the sole purpose of measuring a component or components of a mixture, and may deal with sample sizes as small as a single cell.
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Downstream processing open-in-new

Downstream processing