Question
What are micro-organisms? Describe briefly about their role in human welfare.
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Answer
Various micro-organisms play important role in the production of valuable products of human welfare. A large vessel is required for growth of microbes on commercial scale, that is known as fermentor or bioreacter. Fermenter is a large container in which biological reactions take place when nutrient media and microbes are added into it. It is constructed in the way that a product can be obtained on large scale. In this process organic matter is anaerobically digested by micro organisms.
(a) Production of Fermented Beverages : Yeast is used since ancient times for production of alcoholic beverages like- wine, beer, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin etc. For this purpose Baker's yeast-Sachharomyces cerevisiae is used.
Non-alcoholic beverages are produced by fermenting tea leaves and coffee beans. Chewable tobacco is produced by fermentation of tabacco leaves. Due to fermentation, a characteristic aroma, flavour and fragrance originates in these products.
(b) Production of Antibiotics : Antibiotics are chemical substances, which are produced by some microbes and can kill or retard growth of other disease causing microbes. (Anti = opposite,, against; biotic = life) Antibiotic means - against the life.
After discovery of Pencillin, many other antibiotics have been isolated and purified, e.g. Tetracycline, Neosporin, Nystarin, Cephalosporin, Kanamycin, Leucomycin etc. They are used in the chemotherapy of diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, virus and other microbes. Approximately 7000 antibiotics have been discovered till now and around 300 new antibiotics are prepared every year.
Microbial Sources of Organic Acids and their uses
(a) Production of Fermented Beverages : Yeast is used since ancient times for production of alcoholic beverages like- wine, beer, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin etc. For this purpose Baker's yeast-Sachharomyces cerevisiae is used.
Non-alcoholic beverages are produced by fermenting tea leaves and coffee beans. Chewable tobacco is produced by fermentation of tabacco leaves. Due to fermentation, a characteristic aroma, flavour and fragrance originates in these products.
(b) Production of Antibiotics : Antibiotics are chemical substances, which are produced by some microbes and can kill or retard growth of other disease causing microbes. (Anti = opposite,, against; biotic = life) Antibiotic means - against the life.
After discovery of Pencillin, many other antibiotics have been isolated and purified, e.g. Tetracycline, Neosporin, Nystarin, Cephalosporin, Kanamycin, Leucomycin etc. They are used in the chemotherapy of diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, virus and other microbes. Approximately 7000 antibiotics have been discovered till now and around 300 new antibiotics are prepared every year.
Microbial Sources of Organic Acids and their uses
| Organic Acid | Microbial Source | Applications |
| 1. Lactic acid | L. vulgaricus, L. dal bruski, S. lactis (bacterias) | Coagulation of milk protein |
| 2. Citric Acid | Aspergillus niger (Fungus) | Cosmetics, dye, medicines, etc. |
| 3. Itaconic Acid | A. Terius (Fungus) | Plastic and Glass industry, in jwellery. |
| 4. Oxalic Acid | A. niger (Fungus) | In medicines |
| 5. Cojic Acid | A. oryzae (Fungus) | Antiseptic |
| 6. Acetic Acid | Acetobactor aceti (bacteria) | Pickles and sweets, in food presevation. |
| 7. Butyric Acid | Clostridium butylicum (bacteria) | In different industries. |
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