Biotechnological Innovations: Panacea to Sustainable Economy

A Keynote Lecture delivered by

Prof. Benjamin Ewa Ubi

Professor of Plant Breeding & Biotechnology

Dept. of Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

&

President, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN)

At the Covenant University (CU, Ota), 8th International

Biotechnology Conference, Exhibition and Workshop (IBCE & W),

11th-13th of March, 2018

March 11, 2017

Population Pyramid and socio-economic challenges of Sub-saharan Africa

http://populationpyramid.net/sub-saharan-africa/2016/

In spite of abundant natural resources, poverty index is very high

Science & Technology – driven industrial revolution is needed lift up Nigeria Industrially [Bioeconomy = Biotech]

Projected 2050 world pop: 9 billion

Projected 2050 SSA pop: 2 billion [ca. 24 % of 2050 global pop.]Nigeria in 2050: ~ 430 million

2016 Pop. SSA: 988,088, 000

2016 Pop. Nigeria: 186,987,000

(~20% of SSA )

- > 40 % population is younger than 15 years

(high potential for pop increase)

CourtesyDr. Akinbo

Nigeria in 2050: ~ 430 million Projected population increase by 2050

More food, quality Nutrition and efficient industrial processes/better products needed for a rising global population

By the year 2050, 70% increase in the

food production is needed to feed this

rapid increase in world population

projected at 9 billion people

Agricultural revolution = a 2nd Green (gene) revolutionin the face of increasingly changing climate

Increased industrial efficiency

Economic diversification = bioeconomy

Green (and Cleaner) environment

Feed Clothe Shelter

[Sustainability]

What is Biotechnology [Bio/Techno/Logy]?

[“Bio”=“life”] [“Techno”= “tools”] [“Logy “=“the use of” or “study of” or “science of”]

According to OTA 1989: “Biotechnology is any technique that uses living organisms (e.g. bacteria, yeast) or substances derived from those living organisms (e.g. enzymes) to make or modify a product, to improve plants and animals or develop microorganisms for specific uses”

According to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity:“Biotechnology is any technological application that uses biological systems, living organismsor derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use”

Common to these definitions is that “living organisms” are utilized in an engineering-likeprocess in:

- Food and Agriculture- Fermentation (industrial) (bio)technology- Medicine and biopharmaceuticals- Environmental remediation (including turning waste to wealth)

Other definitions of Biotechnology

[cf: http://www.biotecharticles.com/Applications-Article/Understanding-Biotechnology-A-Compilation-of-Various-Definitions-800.html]

6

Several other definitions are available depending on the expertise of the individual.

For the purpose of this audience, a few examples are provided [see above website for the several other definitions]

The application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents to provide goods and services

The application of biological organisms, systems and processes to manufacturing and serviceindustries

The integrated use of biochemistry, microbiology and engineering techniques to achieve technological application of the microbes, cultured cells

It is the fusion of biology with technology

Thus, Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field.

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field• Biotechnology is multidisciplinary in nature and involve input from several associated disciplines:

Engineering

Computer Science (Bioinformatics)

Biostatistics

Cell and Molecular biology

Microbiology

Genetics

Physiology

Virology

Biochemistry

Immunology

Plant Science

Animal Science

Enzymology

Harnessing the integrated knowledge from all these disciplines for the efficient utilization of biological systems underscores the indispensable role of biotechnological innovations as a panacea to sustainable economic development (BIO-ECONOMY)

Economic status of Nigeria from January 2015 to second half (July) of 2017 (National Bureau of Statistics,

2017).

- declining GDP = is the recession over ?

Source: https://d3fy651gv2fhd3.cloudfront.net/charts/nigeria-gdp-growth-annual.png?s=nigeriagdpyoy&v=201711201451v

Indicators of the Nigerian Economy in Recent Times - I

GDP has fallen much below 5 %

Unemployment rate in Nigeria increased from 16.2 % (2nd quarter of 2017) to 18.8 % (in the 3rd quarter of 2017.

• Vast majority of Nigerians are currently unemployed (and depend on only few employed persons)

(85 % unemployed versus 15 % employed = Donald Duke?)

Nigeria unemployment rate.

Source: https://tradingeconomics.com/nigeria/unemployment-rate

Figure 3: Only a few are employed in Nigeria

Indicators of the Nigerian Economy– II: Unemployment Rate in Recent times

Building a robust bio-economy that can: transform the abundant biological resources that abound in Nigeria into

value-added finished products for:

attainment of Food Security for an increasing population

affordable drugs for quality health-care delivery

Feed

Clothing needs

for a growing population in the face of increasing climate change and foster improved healthcare delivery to combat emerging diseases

Explore /Exploit Biotech Innovations = building a robust bio-economy

Bioeconomy in Italy (BIT) A unique opportunity to reconnect ECONOMY, SOCIETY & ENVIRONMENT

- Consultation Draft document• The bioeconomy comprises those parts of the

economy that use renewable biological resources from land and sea e.g. crops, forests,fish, animals & microorganisms – to produce food, materials (drugs) & energy [Europe’s Bioeconomy Strategy, European Commission, 2012]

• Nigeria is rich in biodiversity (renewablebioresource) for valorization / value additionthrough biotech innovations.

•Main difference between the knowledge –baseddeveloped (industrialized) & non-industrializedunderdeveloped economies

=Transformed finished products versus Rawuntransformed products)

The bio-economy speaks French:

France as one of the last major bio-based EU members states to publish her bioeconomy strategy

- 18 January, 2017[ An official framework for the Valorization

of locally produced biomass]

Spain and Italy published theirs in 2016

The French bio-economy is relatively big among EU Countries creating 1.7 million jobs & an annual turnover of > 300 b Euros

the way forward for Nigeria = Urgent need for Biotech innovations to

build a knowledge-driven bio-economy

GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE

The Bio - based Bioeconomy = Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Backed up

The Bio-based economy= creation of innovative new businesses = a key sector of knowledge-based economies (KBE)

= a fastest growing key sector of KBE able to profit from the accelerating rate of newdiscoveries (in biotech) & technical developments

Globally, the bio-based economy is projected to grow by at least 50% by 2030 (Bio, 2017)- where is the place of Nigeria in this? Biotechnology Innovations hold the key![Nigeria can take advantage of the international R & D opportunities in biotechnology tobuild her knowledge - driven bio-economy]

Biotechnology is also currently particularly considered one of the key drivers for medical innovation

e.g. gene editing to prevent HIV, treat cancer and a rare form of childhood blindness - [Source: C. Muanya, Nigerian Guardian, 16 Feb. 2018]

Biotechnology

Traditional Biotechnology

Modern Biotechnology

Genetic Engineering /gene editing (transgenics: e.g

animals, crops; recombinant vaccines);

molecular pharming

TissueCulture

Fermentation(Brewing / Breadmaking

e.g. starter cultures, bakers/brewers yeast

Molecular Breeding

Monoclonal antibodies(disease diagnositcs)

Biotech innovations and applications [exceptionally diverse]Using a broad range of generic & specific technological solutions (already available or in the pipeline)� Industry- e.g. biotech innovations for production of high value proteins / amino acids, enzymes,

starter cultures, bakers/brewers yeast, fermented foods, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, etc.

� Health- e.g. for the production of rapid diagnostic test kits for malaria, typhoid, hepatitis;

vaccines; insulin; recent genome editing technology to prevent HIV, treat cancer and rare

form of childhood blindness, ; stem cells for the treatment various diseases; growth

hormones, single-cell proteins, anti—snake venom, food supplements, etc.

� Environment- e.g. development of oil-eating bacteria for bioremediation of oil spills, less

pollution, turning waste to wealth (e.g. conversion of organic waste in bioethanol, biogas, etc.)

� Agriculture- e.g. enhanced yield of crop and animal products, development of crops with insect

pests protection, weed control, abiotic stress tolerance, nutritional enhancement

(biofortification), germplasm conservation/gene bank management, nutrient-/water-use

efficiency, bio-fertilizers, etc

Bio

tech

no

logy

Better health care

Enhanced food / nutrition security

Improved supplies of cleaner potable water

Efficient industrial development processes

Support for sustainable afforestation and

reforestation

Bioremediation of hazardous chemicals / contaminated farmlands e.g. Ogoni land

Crop biotech: - high yield and insect pest / disease protection, -herbicide tolerance, ability to grow in difficult

climates and marginal lands (e.g. NEWEST rice) -- biofertilizers, biofortified crops enriched with Vit

A, Fe and Zn; - foods with better taste/freshness- Omega 3 enriched heart-healthy vegetable oils

e.g. soybeans, canola , (Sesame?)

Animal biotech: High yield and better quality of meat, milk, egg (hides and skin = “kpomo”),

Livestock vaccines, feed additives and feed supplements

Health Care- Drug discovery & development - Diagnostics- Genome editing / gene therapy- Immune prophylactics- Pharmaceuticals

Biofuel vehicle

Bio-energy from renewable Feedstock, including turning waste to wealth

Biotechnology for Industrial Development

Ethanol currently produced by fermenting grain (old

technology).

Cellulose enzyme technology allows conversion of crop

residues (stems, leaves and hulls) to ethanol.

Results in reduced CO2 emissions by more than 90%

(compared to oil).

Allows for greater domestic energy production and it

uses a renewable feedstock.

• Bio-based Fuel and Energy

Search for renewable

biofuels

Indispensability of energy in human life

Negative environmental consequences of fossil fuels

Concerns about petroleum

supplies

Major source of energy

Main driver of the economy

X Non-renewability

X Degradation of the environment

X Pollution/climate change- increasing heat & change in precipitation patterns

X Exhaustibility

Fossil Fuels

Hill et al., 2006; Zhang et al., 2003.

• In order to realize a stable

energy alternative that will

meet world demand while

mitigating climate change,

there is need to develop

renewable clean biofuels

industry.

The good part of the whole platform can be got almost exclusively from biomass conversion to biofuel

(Hannon et al., 2010).

Nigeria is quite aware of this need & NNPC is currently building renewable energy plants in several

states

Adapted from Dragone et al. (2010). Curr. Res. Tech. Edu. Top. Appl. Microbio. Micro. Biotech. 2: 1355-1366.

Classification of biofuels

Biofuel vehicle

CBN: Nigeria Planning $50bn Funding for Domestic Biofuel Industry – Vanguard Newspaper February 8, 2017

Bioethanol production

Bioethanol is a promising renewable and easily available biofuel

obtainable from various agricultural feedstocks

- Ogbonna et al., 2001: Bioresource Technology 76 (1): 1-8 .

Raw materials range from

cereals (corn, sorghum, rice, millet, wheat)

- Davis et al., 2006: Water Environment Research

78 (3): 284 – 293.

tubers (sweet potatoes, cassava, yam)

- Hu et al., 2004: Industrial & Engineering

Chemistry Resource 43: 7928 – 7931

sugar crops (sugar cane, sugar beet)

- Ogbonna et al., 2001: Bioresource Technology 76

(1): 1-8

waste products such as molasses and whey, and

lignocellulosic materials

- Nigam, 2001: Journal of Biotechnology 87: 17-27.

Suites of pathways for bioethanol production

www.geosynfuels.com

Promising bioethanol option – Lignocellulosic materials

green – optimisticyellow - pessimistic

According to the optimistic forecast, the expected global bioethanol output in 2020 will reach281.5 billion litres. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of bioethanol market sizefrom 2008-2020 will make up 12.8%.

Forecast of the World Market Development for Bioethanol through 2020

According to the forecast of the International Energy Agency published at the end of 2006,biofuel (e.g. ethanol) will make a considerable contribution to the satisfaction of the powerrequirements existing in automobile transport.

www.abercade.ru

Biohydrogen is a very clean energy because the end product of its combustion is water only.

However, there are still technical problems in the production and storage of bio-H2 (Miyake et

al., 2001).

the viability of a future H2 economy depends entirely upon the development of efficient,

large-scale and sustainable H2 production systems.

Currently, H2 is produced using non-renewable technologies such as steam reformation of

natural gas (~50% of global H2 supply), petroleum refining (~30%) or the gasification of coal

(~20%) (solarbiofuels.org)

Sources of biomass for bio-H2 include microbial cells such as microalgae, bacteria

Biohydrogen fuel

Biohydrogen production: from Hybrid to new Technology of Hydrogen cars in Japan

ChlamydomonasNostoc

Bio-methane (biogas) has the potential to yield more energy than any other current type of biofuel (e.g.

bio-diesel, bio-ethanol) since a larger proportion of the biomass can be converted to product.

Biogas can be produced from a wide range of biodegradable materials including waste paper.

Examples of reported biomass sources and biogas yield (cf: solarbiofuels.org):

- Maize: typically yields 1500 - 2000 m3 biogas/ha/yr.

- certain grass species (e.g. Bracharia spp.) can yield as high as 5,000 m3 biogas/ha/yr.

Conventional bio-fuel crops are increasingly competing with arable crop production.

Closed algal bioreactors offer a promising alternative route for biomass feedstock production for biogas

production.

Using these systems, micro-algae can be grown in large amounts (150-300 tons per ha per year) using

closed bioreactor systems (lower yields are obtained with open pond systems).

This quantity of biomass can theoretically yield 200,000-400,000 m of methane per ha per year.

Bio-methane = Biogas

NABDA under Prof. Solomondeveloped Several biogasPrototypes= awaiting commercialization

Biodiesel Production

Monoakyl esters derived from organic oils, plant or animal, through the process of transesterification (Demirbas, 2007)

produced commercially in many countries such as China, USA, etc. (Guoveia and Oliveira, 2009).

Major feedstocks are oil seed rape, soybean, oil palm, jatropha, waste oil and animal fats (Campbell, 2008).

energy content only about 88 – 95% that of diesel, but fuel economy of both are comparable as biodiesel raises the octane level and improves lubricity (FAO 2008).

seed oils derived biodiesel has a heating value of 37 MJ/Kg, algae-derivedbiomass yields 41 MJ/Kg and that for petroleum diesel is 42.7 MJ/Kg (Campbell, 2008).

www.croplandbiodiesel.com

Biodiesel production process: (I) – Energy Crops

Biodiesel production process: (II) – Vegetable oil/waste

Biodiesel properties Neem oil

biodiesel

(Thangaraj

et al., 2014)

Mahua oil

biodiesel

(Ghadge &

Hifjur, 2006)

Jatropha curcas

oil biodiesel

(Foidl et al.,

2008)

Canola oil

biodiesel

(Tate et al.,

2006)

Pongamia pinnata

biodiesel (Karmee

& Chadha, 2006)

Waste olive oil

biodiesel

(Dorado et al.,

2003)

Soy bean oil

biodiesel (Tate

et al., 2006)

Standard

biodiesel

(Gerpen et

al., 2004)

Diesel

standard

(Kaniz

Ferdous et

al., 2013)

Density @ 15 g/m3 0.898 0.880 0.879 0.888 NA 0.882 0.885 0.878 NA

Kinematic viscosity @

40 ˚C (mm2/s)

5.81 3.98 4.84 @30 ˚C 4.475 4.8 5.29 4.20 4.0-6.0 1.3 – 4.1

Pour point ( ˚C ) 8 6 NA NA NA -6 NA -15-10 -35 to - 15

Flash point ( ˚C) 175 208 191 162 150 169 153 100-170 60 - 80

Total sulphur (% by

mass)

0.03 NA NA 0.0004 NA NA 0.00014 0.0-0.0024 NA

Ash (% by mass) 0.00 0.01 0.014 0.002 0.005 NA 0.001 0.020 max. NA

Carbon residue (% by

mass)

0.08 0.20 0.02 0.04 NA NA 0.02 NA NA

Sediment % by mass 0.00 NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.05 max. NA

Water content ( % by

volume)

0.00 0.04 0.16 0.00 NA NA NA 0.05 max. 0.161

Chisti, 2007; Biotechnology

advances 25 (3):294-306

For biodiesel to become a truereplacement for petroleum, amore productive source of oil isneeded since neither waste oil(limited in supply) nor seed oils(compete with food) can comeclose to meeting the energyrequirements.

Oil yields of some biodiesel feedstocks

Algae??

Solution

Biofuel products producible from algal biomass

Oilgae Report, 2013

Synthetic Genomics and ExxonMobil double biofuel yield from algae – The San Diego Union Tribune, 19 June 2017

http://news.exxonmobil.com/press-release/exxonmobil-and-synthetic-genomics-report-breakthrough-algae-biofuel-research

ExxonMobil GM - created oil-rich strain of Nannochloropsis gaditana (an algae) represents a major research advance toward commercializing algae-based biofuels.

Researchers have doubled lipid content in a genetically engineered strain of Nannochloropsis gaditana (cf: the J. Nature Biotech).

The level has been increased from about 20 % in the natural form of this edible ocean algae to 40 - 55 % in the engineered strain.

Exxon Mobil technology for biodiesel using genetically modified Algae

https://www.wired.com/story/synthetic-genomics-genetically-engineered-algae-might-fuel-the-future/

Other commercial uses of algae

www.

Algae = macroalgae & microalgae

Other products from macroalgae• Total hydrocolloid production is about 55 000 tonnes, with a value of US$ 585 million.

• Alginate production (US$ 213 million) is by extraction

• Agar production (US$ 132 million) is principally from two types of red seaweed

• Carrageenan production (US$ 240 million) was originally dependent on wild seaweeds, especially Irish Moss, a small seaweed growing in cold waters, with a limited resource base.

Country Food Product Major seaweed Quantity

(wet tons)

Product value

(US$/dry ton)

China Kombu Laminaria japonica 5, 000 000 2, 800

Korea Wakame Undaria pinnatifida 800, 000 6,900

Japan Nori Porphyra sp. 600, 000 16, 000

McHugh, 2003.

Macroalgae (Edible seaweed) Industry for food production

Pulz and Gross (2004); Spolaore et al. (2006), and Hallmann (2007).

Major microalgae commercialized for human nutrition - SCP

Microalgae products

Some microalgae with high industrial value

Macroalgae with high commercial value

Algae cultivation systems

Genetic engineering (modern biotechnology) = creation of transgenic organisms

-requires regulatory considerations (the viewpoints of those against and for GMOs should be considered within the context of sound science / National interest.

fortunately, we now have our Biosafety Law and the BiosafetyManagement and Regulatory Agencyin Nigeria

Perspectives – III – Transgenic plants

GM Crops: Newest Rice

Challenges: adaptation

Solutions:

Improving rice production and productivity under small farmers conditions

Initiative of AATF and its Partners to develop rice varieties with

High Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)

High water use efficiency (drought tolerant) (WUE)

Salt tolerant (ST)

Arcadia Bioscience provided the NUE, WUE and ST traits and technical support for the

development of the Transgene rice.

GM Crops: Newest Rice

Solutions:

Traits are bred into farmers preferred varieties

It is expected that adoption of the new varieties can increase rice production by 1.3 millions tons in Africa,

reducing the deficit by at least 10%

The Newest rice project is being conducted under confined field conditions

Africa Biofortified Sorghum ProjectSorghum is an energy dense food, but

poor in proteins and some mineralelements.

People who depend on diets based oncereal staples suffer micro nutrientsdeficiency such as iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn)and calcium (Ca) which are essential andplay vital role in growth, health anddevelopment of infants.

Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS)Project is transferring the traits- Fe, Znand vitamin A- into some Nigeriansorghum varieties to overcome most ofthe nutritional deficiencies.

NABDA and IAR involvement during ABS planting at IAR, Zaria

Sowing ABS IAR , Nigeria

ABS 188 at IAR Nigeria

SAMSORG 17, crossed with ABS 188 at under confined field trial IAR, Zaria,

Kaduna

ABS 188 at IAR Ready for Harvesting seed storage at IAR, Zaria

BioCassava Plus Project

BioCassava Plus aims to reduce malnutrition among sub-Saharan Africans by delivering more nutritious, higher yielding, and more marketable cultivars of cassava.

Mission

Vision of Success

Reduction in Vitamin A and iron deficiency in Nigerians via the adoption, production, and consumption of a β-carotene and iron dense farmer-preferred cultivar in Nigeria.

Elevated levels of vitamin A and iron

VIRCA-Plus (Virus resistant cassava for Africa with iron and zinc enhancement) project

- Biotech Division, NRCRI, Umudike (Workshop to be held 21-22 March, 2018)

Non-transgenic cowpea Transgenic Bt cowpea

Bt cowpea pod, IAR, SamaruMaruca infected cowpea pod

…to save Nigeria over N4bn annually- Prof. M. Ishiyaku

Pod-borer resistant beans to save Nigeria N4b annually- Prof. M. Ishiyaku, Daily Trust, 20/10/2016

No. of pesticide spray times required for fully protected crop (with Bt gene)= 8

No. of times required for fully protected crop with Bt gene = 2

Cost of insecticide required by farmer to spray 1ha

= 8 bottles x N1,000 each = N8,000

Savings from Bt cowpea: N8,000 x 6 = N48,000 per ha

Total hectarage under cowpea cultivation in Nigeria: 800 million hectares

There/4: expected savings = N48,000 x 800,000,000 = 3.84b (~ N4b)

• Microorganisms e.g. bacteria, yeasts & fungi convert sugars into useful products by fermentation.

• Industrial fermentation is used to produce a wide variety of bulk and fine chemicals such as alcohol,

lactic acid, citric acid, vitamins, amino acids, solvents, antibiotics, biopolymers, bio-pesticides,

industrial enzymes, bio-colourants, bio-surfactants, alkaloids, steroids, etc.

• Fermentation is the only industrial production method for several products (bio-ethanol, L-glutamic

acid (MSG), citric acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, antibiotics (specialities and bulk products), xanthan,

dextran, L-hydroxyphenylalanine, vitamin B12, gulonic acid).

• Recombinant DNA technology now helps to develop specific genetically-altered microorganisms for

improved fermentation processes.

• A major advantage is that these genetically modified microorganisms operate under controlled

conditions in a fermentor or bio-reactor and carefully contained to avoid unintended release into the

environment.

Fermentation Technology

Processing of Cassava tuber

New Garri from India?

Fermented foods

Health benefits of fermented foods

FM, fermented milk product; FDP, fermented dairy products; FSP, fermented soy products; LFODMAP, low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, polyols; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome

• Fermentation can enhance or alter nutritive and health-modulating properties of food constituents.

• Microbes in fermented foods introduce new compounds to the foods that are delivered to the gut.

• Many of the species found in fermented foods are phylogenetically related to probiotic strains.

• Fermented foods can be an important dietary source of live microorganisms.• Microbes in fermented foods may contribute to human health in a manner similar to

probiotics.

Examples of fermented dairy products/ foods and beverages

Yakult drink in Japan Very rich & healthy dairy drink (probiotic) = very good for stomach health & cheapProduction has also started in Brazil

Most are probiotic

= contain good live bacteria and yeasts

that boost health.

Nigerian Local Fermented foods e.g. Dawadawa) _ Nigerian Tribune, 11 March, 2017

Fermented Parkia biglobosa

= for local seasoning of soups

= when boiled and fermented

- rich in lipid (29 %), protein (35 %), CHO (16 %)

essential vitamins and minerals e.g. Ca, fat, K, Vit. C

& P.

= Its processing by fermentation helps:

- boost its nutritional value

- reduces its natural or synthetic compounds that hinder the

absorption of nutrients

- boosts its digestibility and

- enriches its unique flavour in order to boost the smell and taste of

food.

= health benefits of fermented locust bean

- promotes good sight and drives away hypertension and other

diseases conditions like stroke and diabetes

Commonly known in Yoruba as iru or irugba,in Hausa as dawadawa, in Tiv as Nuneand in lbo as daddawa

• Challenge: How do we mass produce this local commodity at industrial scale and get it well packaged for domestic use and export [ TASK BY RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL]

•A rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, macronutrients and micronutrients

• The microorganism involved in the fermentation process (Bacillus subtilis) additionally creates

an enzyme (nattokinase), which produces vitamin K2

• Regular consumption of natto provides several health benefits.

Very cheap

Fermented soybean – Japanese fermented food product

Natto in a shop in JapanNatto - the fermented soy superfood

Bacillus subtilis= (cf: https://draxe.com/natto/)

Applications of genetic engineering in cheese making – recombinant Chymosin (or rennin, a protease found in rennet enzyme)

61

Industrial uses e.g. cheese making (about 90% of the hard cheese in the UK is made using chymosin from genetically modified microbes)

Chymosin is produced from gastric chief cells in the lining of the abomasum of young ruminants (or the stomach of other new born animals)

Functions in milk coagulation (curdling) into hard cheese

Recombinant chymosin offers novel and stable enzyme sources, as an effective alternative desirable by the cheese industry Zika et al., 2007

• The development of a genetic engineering procedure

suitable for polyploid industrial yeast (Saccharomyces

cerevisiae) strains used in brewing has been reported.

• BioTechnica cloned the gene coding for glucoamylase from

A. niger and inserted the gene into brewing yeast.

• The glucoamylase expressed by the yeast during

fermentation breaks down the soluble starch to glucose

= the resulting glucose is metabolized by the yeast leading

to lower calorie beer without requiring the use of added

enzyme preparations.

Brewing

The Brewing processcf: feedipedia.org

• Enzymes are catalytically active proteins that have evolved and were perfected over billions of years of evolution.

• As very specific and efficient catalysts, they direct the chemistry of life without needing extreme temperatures, high pressures or corrosive conditions as often required in chemical synthetic processes.

• A key enzyme is α-amylase, a very thermostable enzyme used to hydrolyse starch at a temperature of 105°C.

• Such thermostable enzymes allow bioreactions to take place at high temperatures, considerably increasing the reaction rate.

• Glucose isomerase is another important enzyme in this sector. This enzyme converts glucose to fructose.

• It is used in immobilised form and maintains its catalytic activity up to 2 years when used industrially.

• Nigeria spends about N200bn annually on importation of industrial enzymes - (Records from Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Naij.com/21061.html).

FIIRO is currently working on microbial production of the following enzymes by solid state fermentation and submerged fermentation (www.fiiro.org):

* Proteases * Xylanase * Amylase * Glucoamylases* Glucose Isomerase * Pectinases * Cellulases

Industrial Enzyme production

Enzyme sources

Fungi60%

Bacteria24%

Yeast4%

Higher animals6%

Streptomyces2%

Higher plants4%

Enzyme sources and their relative contribution for commercial production

Enzyme Sources Application

a-Amylase AspergillusBaking (enhances the fermentation process for quality crumb structure and high

dough volume)

Catalase Aspergillus Food

Cellulase Trichoderma Waste

Dextranase Penicillium Food

Glucose oxidase Aspergillus Food

Lactase Aspergillus Dairy

Lipase Rhizopus Food (modifier of natural lipids in flour to enhance dough strength)

Rennet Mucor miehei Cheese (for coagulation of milk into curd)

Pectinase Aspergillus Drinks

Protease Aspergillus Baking (confers plastic properties in biscuit doughs by weakening of gluten)

Raffinase Mortierella Food

Glucoamylase Aspergillus Starch

Pectin lyase Aspergillus Drinks

Fungal enzymes and some industrial applications

Enzyme Sources Application

a-Amylase Bacillus Starch

b-Amylase Bacillus Starch

Asparaginase Escherichia coli Health

Glucose

isomeraseBacillus Fructose syrup

Penicillin amidase Bacillus Pharmaceutical

Protease Bacillus Detergent

Pullulanase Klebsiella Starch

Bacterial enzymes

Enzyme Source Application

Invertase Saccharomyces Confectionery

Lactase Kluyveromyces Dairy

Lipase Candida Food

Raffinase Saccharomyces Food

Yeast enzymes

Enzymes Sources Application

Catalase Liver Food

Chymotrypsin Pancreas Leather

Lipase Pancreas Food

Rennet Abomasum Cheese

Trypsin Pancreas Leather

Animal enzymes

Plant enzymes

Enzymes Sources Application

Actinidin Kiwi fruit Food

a-Amylase Malted barley Brewing

b-Amylase Malted barley Brewing

Bromelain Pineapple latex Brewing

b-Glucanase Malted barley Brewing

Ficin Fig latex Food

Lipooxygenase Soybeans Food

Papain Pawpaw latex Food

Enzyme Substrate Reaction catalyzed Application industry

Proteases Proteins Proteolysis Detergents, food, pharmaceutical, chemical synthesis

Carbohydrases Carbohydrates Hydrolysis of carbohydrates to sugars

Food, feed, pulp and paper, sugar, textiles, detergents

Lipases Fats and oils Hydrolysis of fats to fatty acids and glycerol

Food, effluent treatment, detergents, fine chemicals

Pectinases Pectins Clarification of fruit juices

Food, beverage

Cellulases Cellulose Hydrolysis of cellulose

Pulp, textile, feed, detergents

Amylases Polysaccharides Hydrolysis of starch into sugars

Food

Some industrial enzymes and their applications

Vaccine production e.g. recombinant vaccine for Hepatitis b

Avian Influenza kills 42,000 birds in 12 farms in

Plateau — Sun Newspaper of 27th February 2017.

Avian Influenza killed 42,000 birds in 12 farms in

Plateau, between January and February 2017, according

to the local chapter of the Poultry Association of

Nigeria (PAN).

Animal Vaccine Development including anti-snake venom

Nigeria to produce anti-snake venom – Daily Trust NewspaperBy Ruby Leo | Publish Date: Sep 23 2015 4:19AM“Anti-venoms are made by first 'milking' the venom from a snake before injecting it in low doses into a horse or sheep. The animal doesn't become ill, but the venom induces an immune response that produces anti-bodies in the animal. These anti-bodies are then extracted from the animal's blood to create anti-venom” - Science news, Thu Apr 2, 2015Website: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-uk-snake-venom-idUSKBN0MT2F320150402Deadly snakes 'milked' to create potent new anti-venom

cf: William H.R.Langridge, Scientific American September 2000

Edible vaccine

Amino acids = increasingly used as supplements for human food and animal feed.

Previously, only a small number of amino acids were made by industrial biotechnology. Nowadays, large-scale

industrial production of almost all 20 essential amino acids can be made by fermentation or enzyme technology.

The world-wide production of L-glutamic acid is over 1.5 million tons a year.

- one of the most important fermentation products with a tonnage comparable with many petrochemical products

- used in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a taste enhancer in many foods.

L-Lysine (350 000 tons/year) is another large-scale produced amino acid

- Lysine and Methionine are mainly used as amino acid additives in animal feed.

L-Phenylalanine is yet another amino acid, taking part in the synthesis of L-aspartame.

- Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is used in many foodstuffs, such as

“light” beverages.

L-Carnitin is a vitamin-like natural component in animal tissues that stimulates lipid metabolism.

Erythorbic acid or iso-ascorbic acid (chemical analogue of vitamin C) is an anti-oxidant used in food. It is made by

a fermentation process from glucose.

Food/feed additives and supplements

Biofertilizers e.g. Rhizobium inoculum, Mycorhizae, endophytes, etc.

Biocolourants, flavours and aroma compounds e.g. anthocyanins, volatile organic componds

Green solvents e.g. ethanol; More recent green solvent: Ethylacetate = ethanol + lactic acid (both are

products of anaerobic fermentation) of glucose

Biopesticides – botanicals e.g. from Neem

High quality silk from genetically-modified silk worm- National Institute of Agrobiological Resources, Tsukuba, Japan

Florescent silk worm & cocoon produced by transgenic approach by inserting a gene encoding a florescent protein

Commercial silk for the textile industry

Textile industry = Yoruba “Aso Oke”

Japanese “Kimono”

Diverse application potentials of biotech does not automatically translate into commercial activities, business expansion or wealth creation /massive employment growth

Knowledge and entrepreneurial skills are needed to harvest, concretize, develop, refine andmarket the products from these increasing rising innovations.

All require talented innovators working in a favorable environment.

Innovation & entrepreneurial approaches = key in unlocking new products, processes and services, gaining market access, and successful commercialisation.

Biotech is highly innovative, and these Innovations are reflective of:- annual number of patent applications- research papers published/scientific meetings [e.g. Contech Global; CU Pawka/yoghurt]- biotech start-ups creation rates

Microbial biotechnology – exceptional innovation & entrepreneurial actors – Timmis et al. 2017, Microbial Biotechnology 10(5), 1137–1144

Biotechnological innovations provide a vast array of opportunities industrial development

- several sectors of the economy are influenced by Biotechnology.

How many biotechnology companies do we presently have in Nigeria

- Necessary to boost the bioeconomy of Nigeria / Harnessing biotechnology for economic

diversification.

Need for a robust R & D initiative in Nigeria

Harnessing biotechnology for strengthening and diversifying our economy

Need for University / Research – Industry Partnership

Internationalizing Biotechnology Research in Nigeria and building partnerships

Postgraduate Scholarships Postdoctoral fellowships Research Grants

Concluding remarks

The Vice-Chancellor – Prof. A. A. Atayero for inducting/decorating me as ambassador

of CU

The Organizers of this program [And I thank God on the peaceful resolution btw this

program & the main BSN Conference]

All the audience for listening

The Lord Jesus for strength and journey mercies in numerous travels

Acknowledgements