expressed was induced by culturing in a fermentor with supplies of oxygen and
nutrients. Recombinant microorganisms expressing sea mussel adhesive proteins in
their cytoplasm were disrupted and the proteins isolated, refined, and finally
freeze-dried to produce a mussel adhesive protein powder. In the case of actual
production, a large fermentor may be used sequentially for large-scale culturing to
mass-produce recombinant sea mussel adhesive proteins.
In addition to the use of microorganisms and recombination technology, another
form of protein production that is under consideration involves the use of culture
cells. As with recombinant production using microorganisms, expression may also
be achieved through introduction of byssus protein genes into cells. Natural byssus
proteins may be produced as well by culturing the sea mussel foot cells that are
originally responsible for byssus protein production (Wool and Sun 2011).
The future creation and commercialization of adhesives capable of working
underwater are expected to allow them to be used not only in underwater construction but also in dental and surgical treatment settings.
8.3.2 Algae Use in Functional Paper Manufacturing
The chief roles of paper and cardboard are for recording and preserving writing and
information, packaging and protecting objects, and absorbing fluids for disposal.
Recent years, however, have seen growing demand for papers with additional
special functions besides these three. To answer this demand for diverse and
functional paper types, the sources used to make them have broadened from the
natural fibers typically used to date to include synthetic, metal, and inorganic fibers.
Paper processed to perform specific functions is drawing particular notice as a new
material in such high-tech industry fields as electronics and bioengineering
(Balcıoğlu et al. 2007).
The material used for the majority of paper and pulp to date consists of fibers
obtained from land-based plants (trees) through mechanical or chemical processing.
These plants have served to sustain human environments and been of great service
in our lives, but the situation to date is one in which the global environment is
facing serious crisis as a result of the various kinds of paper and fuel that we use.
One of the biggest issues we will have to address in the 21st century is that of the
global environment—an area closely linked to the very survival of humanity.
Human activities to date have burgeoned to a level qualitatively and quantitatively beyond the load capacities of the earth’s circulation of matter. Rises in
atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide have given rise to
global warming, and human activities have exacerbated the emission of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that destroy the ozone layer in the stratosphere, the
burning of chemical fuels that cause acid rain, and desertification of the earth due to
loss of tropical forest.
Preservation of the earth’s environment is thus crucial for the continued flourishing of humankind, and use of the purifying functions of the seas—which cover
70% of the earth’s surface—have emerged as one means of achieving this. The
8.3 Bio Materials
245
nutrients. Recombinant microorganisms expressing sea mussel adhesive proteins in
their cytoplasm were disrupted and the proteins isolated, refined, and finally
freeze-dried to produce a mussel adhesive protein powder. In the case of actual
production, a large fermentor may be used sequentially for large-scale culturing to
mass-produce recombinant sea mussel adhesive proteins.
In addition to the use of microorganisms and recombination technology, another
form of protein production that is under consideration involves the use of culture
cells. As with recombinant production using microorganisms, expression may also
be achieved through introduction of byssus protein genes into cells. Natural byssus
proteins may be produced as well by culturing the sea mussel foot cells that are
originally responsible for byssus protein production (Wool and Sun 2011).
The future creation and commercialization of adhesives capable of working
underwater are expected to allow them to be used not only in underwater construction but also in dental and surgical treatment settings.
8.3.2 Algae Use in Functional Paper Manufacturing
The chief roles of paper and cardboard are for recording and preserving writing and
information, packaging and protecting objects, and absorbing fluids for disposal.
Recent years, however, have seen growing demand for papers with additional
special functions besides these three. To answer this demand for diverse and
functional paper types, the sources used to make them have broadened from the
natural fibers typically used to date to include synthetic, metal, and inorganic fibers.
Paper processed to perform specific functions is drawing particular notice as a new
material in such high-tech industry fields as electronics and bioengineering
(Balcıoğlu et al. 2007).
The material used for the majority of paper and pulp to date consists of fibers
obtained from land-based plants (trees) through mechanical or chemical processing.
These plants have served to sustain human environments and been of great service
in our lives, but the situation to date is one in which the global environment is
facing serious crisis as a result of the various kinds of paper and fuel that we use.
One of the biggest issues we will have to address in the 21st century is that of the
global environment—an area closely linked to the very survival of humanity.
Human activities to date have burgeoned to a level qualitatively and quantitatively beyond the load capacities of the earth’s circulation of matter. Rises in
atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide have given rise to
global warming, and human activities have exacerbated the emission of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that destroy the ozone layer in the stratosphere, the
burning of chemical fuels that cause acid rain, and desertification of the earth due to
loss of tropical forest.
Preservation of the earth’s environment is thus crucial for the continued flourishing of humankind, and use of the purifying functions of the seas—which cover
70% of the earth’s surface—have emerged as one means of achieving this. The
8.3 Bio Materials
245