Introduction

Abstract

Biologically-derived materials represent one of the most important sources of new technology food and pharmaceutical products due to their precisely controlled structure, biofunctional properties and potential for inexpensive and sustainable production. Recent advances in a variety of areas of biotechnology, from systems biology to bioreactor technology, have made large-scale production of sophisticated new biomolecular materials possible. However, the costs of producing these exciting new materials can be prohibitive due to separation processing, which typically constitute 80 % of the total cost of production. Bioseparation technology used in industry today is based on principles first discovered over 70 years ago and improvements are needed at all stages of processing, i.e. from pre-treatment of raw materials prior to fermentation, the fermentative product itself, and during subsequent purification and modification to yield the final product. Functional magnetic (nano)particle composites have the potential to enhance the physical and chemical properties of bioseparation processes, i.e. (nano)particles have extremely high surface areas, rapid binding kinetics and unique physical and chemical properties. However, handling them in complex and demanding bioprocesses where profits can be marginal for ‘low-value, high-throughput' products is a great challenge. Such particles with magnetic properties might enable significant improvements in productivity, economic feasibility, sustainability and product quality and its control. However, implementation of functional magnetic particles as adsorbents in the bioprocessing industry requires the synergistic interplay of a host of components. The two major barriers to implementing magnetic nanoparticles and composites are the safe and effective largescale manufacturing of appropriately functionalised superparamagnetic particles, and the lack of large-scale process technology to separate these particles from