Uses of Microorganisms in Food Medicine Agriculture and Industry
What are Microbes?
A microbe or microorganism exists in single-celled form or in a colony of cells. Thousands of species of microbes are present in all parts of our body that make up the diverse human microbiome. These are helpful in maintaining and supporting our health, however, if the microbiome is disturbed in some way, certain ailments can be arised such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders and cancer.
A question arises- How Do Humans Use Microbes? It is known that microbes are important in health and human culture in a variety of ways. From fermenting foods to treating sewage, from producing fuel and enzymes to other bioactive compounds, microbes have been very helpful in all. Being used as essential tools in biology, microbes are model organisms that have been put to use in bioterrorism and biological warfare. Subjects of Life Sciences such as Biotechnology and Microbiology have been able to spread the importance of microbes for various experimentation and trials. As discussed earlier, microbes make up the human microbiota with the essential gut flora. On the other hand, the pathogens are also responsible for infectious diseases and are often the target of hygiene measures.
Use of Microbes by Humans
Let’s explore more about the use of microbes for humans in varied domains. Following are some of the points that can help us understand in a better manner.
Production of Food
Fermentation process makes use of microorganisms or microbes to produce yoghurt, curd, cheese, ayran and other kinds of food. Providing flavour and aroma, fermentation enhances the quality of food as well as inhibits undesirable organisms. Also, this process is used for bread preparation and preparation of wine and beer. Food making processes such as brewing, baking, pickling and wine making make use of microbes.
Let’s see below what is the role of microbes in the production of certain food products:
Alcoholic Fermentation: Yeast converts sugar, grape juice or grains into alcohol. A mold can also convert starch into sugar and result in formation of the Japanese rice wine.
Vinegar: Bacteria converts alcohol into acetic acid, giving acidic taste to vinegar.
Cheese: The flavour and appearance of a specific kind of cheese is due to the presence of numerous microorganisms associated in it.
Vitamins: Vitamins such as B2, C and B12 use microorganisms for their production.
Antibiotics: Microbes are also used to prepare antibiotics.
2. Treatment of Water
Contaminated water is often cleaned up with microbes as these can respire the dissolved organic substances. It may be aerobic respiration with the help of a well-oxygenated filter bed like a slow sand filter. Methanogens undergo anaerobic digestion and generate methane gas as a by-product which is quite useful.
3. Generation of Energy
Fermentation produces ethanol with the help of microbes as well as produces methane in biogas reactors. This way, various bacteria convert agricultural and urban waste into useful fuels and help in energy generation.
4. Production of Chemicals and Enzymes
Microbes are often used in commercial and industrial levels to produce enzymes, chemicals and bioactive molecules. Microbes such as acetic acid bacteria, butyric acid, Lactobacillus and Aspergillus niger help in microbial fermentation on a large industrial scale to produce organic acids. Bioactive molecules such as Streptokinase are produced from the bacterium Streptococcus and Statins are produced from the yeast Monascus purpureus.
5. Application in Science
Being essential tools in Life Sciences such as Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, microbes are of great importance. Important model microbes in Science are Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (yeast) and they are simple eukaryotes which can be obtained in large numbers and manipulated. Therefore, these are highly valuable in Genomics, Genetics and Proteomics.
6. Importance in Warfare
Microbes have been used as biological warfare, be it for spreading pathogens into castles in earlier days or using microbes for bioterrorism such as the release of Anthrax in the year 1993 in Tokyo.
7. Enrichment of Soil
Making nutrients and minerals in the soil suitably available to the plants, microbes also produce hormones facilitating growth and stimulating the plant immune system and dampening stress responses. It results in fewer diseases and higher yield of the plants with diverse sets of soil microbes.
8. Human Health
Microorganisms share an endosymbiotic relationship with humans as microbial symbiosis helps in enhancing our immune system and microbes depend on our body for their survival and food. Synthesis of vitamins such as biotin and folic acid is supported by the gut flora as well as these help in fermenting the complex and indigestible carbohydrates in our gastrointestinal tract. Also, food supplements or additives and probiotics consisting of microbes are helpful to us.
FAQs on How Humans Use Microbes in Everyday Life and Science
1. How do humans use microbes in everyday life?
Humans use microbes in food production, medicine, agriculture, waste treatment, and biotechnology. These microscopic organisms perform essential biochemical processes that benefit daily life.
- Food production: Bacteria and fungi ferment milk, dough, and vegetables.
- Medicine: Microbes produce antibiotics, vaccines, and insulin.
- Agriculture: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria improve soil fertility.
- Waste management: Microorganisms decompose sewage and organic waste.
- Biotechnology: Engineered microbes produce enzymes and biofuels.
2. How are microbes used in food production?
Microbes are used in food production through the process of fermentation, where they convert sugars into useful products like acids, gases, or alcohol. This improves flavor, texture, and preservation.
- Lactobacillus bacteria produce yogurt and cheese.
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) makes bread and alcoholic beverages.
- Acetic acid bacteria produce vinegar.
3. How do microbes help in medicine?
Microbes help in medicine by producing antibiotics, vaccines, and therapeutic proteins. Many life-saving drugs are derived from bacteria and fungi.
- Penicillin is produced by the fungus Penicillium.
- Bacteria are used to make human insulin using genetic engineering.
- Weakened or inactivated microbes are used in vaccines.
4. What is the role of microbes in agriculture?
Microbes improve agriculture by enhancing soil fertility and protecting crops from disease. They play a key role in nutrient cycling and plant growth.
- Rhizobium bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen in legume roots.
- Mycorrhizal fungi increase water and mineral absorption.
- Some bacteria act as biopesticides to control pests.
5. How are microbes used in biotechnology?
Microbes are used in biotechnology to produce valuable substances through genetic engineering and controlled fermentation. Scientists modify microbial DNA to manufacture specific products.
- Production of human insulin using recombinant bacteria.
- Manufacture of industrial enzymes for detergents and food processing.
- Generation of biofuels such as ethanol.
6. How do microbes help in sewage treatment?
Microbes help in sewage treatment by breaking down organic waste into simpler, harmless substances. This process is carried out by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms.
- Aerobic bacteria decompose organic matter in activated sludge systems.
- Anaerobic bacteria produce biogas like methane.
- Pathogens are reduced during microbial treatment.
7. Can humans use microbes to produce energy?
Yes, humans use microbes to produce energy in the form of biofuels such as ethanol and biogas. Microorganisms convert organic materials into usable fuel.
- Yeast ferments sugars to produce ethanol.
- Methanogenic bacteria generate methane in biogas plants.
- Algae are studied for biodiesel production.
8. How do microbes help in digestion in the human body?
Microbes in the human gut aid digestion by breaking down complex food substances and producing essential nutrients. These beneficial microbes form the gut microbiota.
- They digest dietary fiber into short-chain fatty acids.
- They synthesize vitamins such as vitamin K and some B vitamins.
- They help protect against harmful pathogens.
9. What is fermentation and why is it important to humans?
Fermentation is a metabolic process in which microorganisms convert sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen. It is important for food production and preservation.
- Produces yogurt, cheese, bread, and alcohol.
- Enhances flavor and texture of foods.
- Extends shelf life by inhibiting harmful microbes.
10. Are all microbes harmful to humans?
No, most microbes are beneficial or harmless, and only a small percentage are pathogenic. Many microorganisms support health, industry, and ecosystems.
- Beneficial microbes aid digestion and nutrient cycling.
- Industrial microbes produce medicines and foods.
- Pathogenic microbes cause diseases like tuberculosis or cholera.
