A bioprocess is any process that uses complete living cells or their components to obtain desired products. This process is referred as Fermentation.
Upstream processing which involves the preparation of liquid medium, separation of particulate and inhibitory chemicals from the medium, sterilization, air purification.
It includes selection of a microbial strain characterized by the ability to synthesize a specific product having the desired commercial value. This strain then is subjected to improvement protocols to maximize the ability of the strain to synthesize economical amounts of the product. Included in the upstream phase is the fermentation process itself which usually is carried out in large tanks known as fermenters or as bioreactors.