Describe briefly the following:
upstream processing
Upstream processing encompasses the initial steps where formulation and sterilisation of the media and equipment take place. A critical component of this stage is the production of a pure, healthy and active culture for inoculation. These preparations allow the growth of organisms under optimum conditions for desired product formation within a bioreactor.
downstream processing
Downstream processing is the subsequent stage where the product is recovered and purified. This is achieved using various techniques explicitly mentioned in the context, such as reverse osmosis, distillation, and drying. Through these methods, many desired products of animal, plant, and microbial origin have been successfully commercialised.
Explanation
The answer is derived directly from the definitions provided in the textbook context. Upstream processing is defined by the preparation steps: media formulation, sterilization, and inoculum production. Downstream processing is defined by the recovery and purification steps using techniques like reverse osmosis and distillation to commercialise the product.