Question

Describe any two uses of bacteria in the industry.

Answer 1

A number of compounds are synthesized by bacteria, which have enormous commercial applications. These include fermentation products such as organic acids, alcohol, amino acids, etc., and medicinal products such as antibiotics, hormones, and therapeutic enzymes, etc.

Complete answer:
- Probiotics are compounds that are typically live microorganisms that are administered orally to promote good health. Bacterial preparations, which are used as nutritional supplements, are probiotics. - Nutritional benefits and immunomodulatory processes such as antigen processing, presentation, and degradation are provided by the constituent bacteria of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus , and Bifidobacterium.
- Other benefits of probiotics are their anti- inflammatory and anti- cancerous properties.
- Probiotics have been shown to have a profound effect on digestion and can, to a limited degree, control diarrhea.
- Probiotic bacteria compete for space, nutrients, and pathogens while developing certain antimicrobial compounds.
- Alcoholic beverages are formed by yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fermentation of the carbohydrate substrate (present either in grains or fruits).
- However after fermentation the aging of wine (done to impart flavor) is carried out by bacteria. This involves a secondary fermentation called malolactic acid fermentation.
- This is done to convert malic acid (highly acidic and sour in taste) into lactic acid and carbon dioxide. Lactic acid is moderately acidic and imparts good flavor to the wine.
- The bacteria involved are Leuconostoc oenos , L. plantarum etc.
- Bacteria are also used for production of wine/ vinegar which uses bacteria like Acetobacter and Gluconobacter which oxidize ethanol to acetic acid.
- For production of Scotch whisky, the bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii is used after initial fermentation, i.e., after alcohol production. The production of lactic acid imparts flavor, lowers the pH of the product, and prevents the development of undesirable microbes as well.
Note:
- The probiotics are being successfully used in animal feeds.
- A probiotic preparation for cattle containing Lactobacillus acidophilus has been found to decrease the E. coli content of beef.
- Another probiotic Bacillus strain has been formulated as chicken feed additive. This has been found to produce healthier chickens with limited pathogens like Coliform bacteria and Campylobacter.