Biotechnology value chain

Supply of propylene from steam cracker versus global demand. Adapted from DingJ, Hua W. Came changers of the value chain gas, coal, and biotechnologes. Chem EngTechno 2013 36 83-90. 

Extend the industiy from its base in research to activities further down the value chain such as development and manufacturing Leverage the resources and networks of the broader life-sciences economic cluster of which biotechnology is an integral part. 

The cheapest of all sterols, however, is cholesterol, followed by ]3-sitos-terol. Both steroids have saturated side chains. Their chemical degradation is complicated and expensive and has no commercial value today. Biotechnology solved this problem. Fermentation with Mycobacterium phlei, Nocardia, or Arthrobacter in the presence of various inhibitors (e.g., nickel sulfate, cobalt chloride, 8-hydroxyquinoline) gives androstadiene-dione. From that point one can get anywhere in steroids by simple chemical modification. Only the degrada-... 

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