Antibiotics are primarily made through a process called fermentation.
The Fermentation Process
The key to antibiotic production is industrial microbiology, specifically the use of fermentation. This involves growing microorganisms, such as fungi or bacteria, in large-scale containers. Here's a breakdown:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Source Microorganism | A microorganism capable of producing a specific antibiotic is identified and selected. |
| 2. Growth Medium | The microorganism is introduced into large containers filled with a liquid growth medium. This medium provides the necessary nutrients for growth. |
| 3. Large Scale Culture | These containers are huge, often holding between 100,000 to 150,000 liters, or even more. |
| 4. Controlled Conditions | The environment inside the containers is carefully controlled. This includes:
|
| 5. Extraction and Purification | Once the microorganisms have produced the antibiotic, it's extracted from the fermentation broth. It then undergoes several purification steps to isolate the pure antibiotic product. |
| 6. Formulation | The pure antibiotic is then formulated into various pharmaceutical forms, like tablets, capsules, or injections, ready for use. |
This process allows for the large-scale production of antibiotics needed to treat bacterial infections. The careful control ensures the microorganisms produce the desired antibiotic efficiently.
