2. Basics of Biotechnology for Civil and Environmental Engineers

Construction Biotechnology is a scientific and engineering knowledge on the use of microorganisms or their products for construction processes or production of construction materials. All biotechnological processes include: (1) a preliminary step (upstream); (2) a cultivation and biogeochemical activity (core process); (3) a posttreatment step (downstream); and (4) process monitoring and control. Isolation and selection of proper pure or enrichment culture for bioprocess is the most essential preliminary step. Batch or continuous cultivation of microorganisms in bioreactor or in soil must be maintained by the optimal supply of nutrients, proper electron donor and acceptor, temperature, pH, salinity, and other factors essential for growth and biosynthetic or biogeochemical activities of microbial cells. Understanding of biotechnology is essential in the development of biotechnological construction material or biotechnological construction process but the commercial biomaterial or bioprocess must be made so that there will be sufficient just instruction for user. However, geotechnical or environmental applications of biotechnological processes in the field may require due to complexity of the factors or either partnership with biotechnologist or understanding of the basic principles of biotechnology.