Microbes in Household and Industrial Products: Uses, Examples & Important NCERT Facts
Microorganisms are not always harmful. Many microbes are extremely useful to humans and are involved in producing food, beverages, medicines, enzymes, organic acids and other commercially important products.
From the curd we eat at home to antibiotics used in healthcare, microorganisms play an important role in household activities as well as large-scale industrial production.
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Explore NEET Biology →What Are Microbes?
Microbes or microorganisms are microscopic organisms that cannot normally be seen with the naked eye. They include bacteria, fungi, protozoans, microscopic algae and other microscopic organisms.
Some microorganisms cause diseases, but many are beneficial and are widely used by humans.
Microbes in Household Products
Microorganisms have been used traditionally in food preparation and fermentation. Some familiar household products depend on microbial activity.
1. Curd
Curd is produced from milk through the activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly Lactobacillus.
Lactic acid bacteria convert lactose, the sugar present in milk, into lactic acid. The acid causes milk proteins to coagulate, resulting in the formation of curd.
2. Cheese
Different varieties of cheese are produced using specific microorganisms and fermentation processes.
| Cheese | Microorganisms |
|---|---|
| Swiss cheese | Propionibacterium shermanii |
| Roquefort cheese | Penicillium roqueforti |
| Camembert cheese | Penicillium camemberti |
Propionibacterium shermanii is associated with the characteristic holes in Swiss cheese.
3. Bread
Bread production commonly uses the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as baker's yeast.
Yeast ferments sugars and produces carbon dioxide and alcohol. The carbon dioxide gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise.
4. Dosa and Idli
Fermentation is also important in the preparation of traditional foods such as dosa and idli. Microbial fermentation helps modify the batter and contributes to the characteristic texture and taste.
5. Toddy
Toddy is a traditional fermented beverage. Yeasts and other microorganisms can participate in the fermentation of plant-derived sugars.
Microbes in Industrial Products
Microorganisms are also grown on a large scale in industrial fermenters. These controlled systems allow industries to produce useful substances in large quantities.
Fermented Beverages
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely used in the fermentation of sugars to produce alcoholic beverages.
Depending on the fermentation process and raw material, microorganisms can be used in the production of beverages such as beer and wine.
Microbes and Antibiotics
Some microorganisms produce substances that inhibit or kill other microorganisms. These substances can be used as antibiotics.
Penicillin
Penicillin was obtained from the fungus Penicillium. The discovery and development of penicillin became a major milestone in the history of antimicrobial medicine.
Penicillin and related antibiotics are important examples of microbial products with major applications in healthcare.
Streptomycin
Streptomycin is an antibiotic associated with the bacterium Streptomyces griseus.
It became an important antibiotic in the treatment of certain bacterial infections.
Penicillin → Penicillium
Streptomycin → Streptomyces
Microbes and Organic Acids
Microorganisms can produce several organic acids through fermentation. These acids have applications in food, medicine and industry.
| Microorganism | Product | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus niger | Citric acid | Food and industrial applications |
| Acetobacter aceti | Acetic acid | Vinegar production |
| Clostridium butylicum | Butyric acid | Industrial applications |
| Lactobacillus | Lactic acid | Food fermentation |
| Aspergillus niger / Penicillium | Gluconic acid | Food and industrial applications |
Microbes and Alcohol Production
Yeast, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is widely used in fermentation.
During alcoholic fermentation, yeast converts sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
A simplified representation is:
Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon dioxide + Energy
Microbes as Sources of Industrial Enzymes
Microorganisms are important sources of enzymes used in food processing, detergents, medicine and other industries.
Lipases
Lipases break down fats and are useful in detergent formulations and other industrial applications.
Pectinases
Pectinases help break down pectin. They are used in fruit juice processing to improve clarification and extraction.
Proteases
Proteases break down proteins and have several industrial applications, including food processing and detergents.
Microbial sources of industrial enzymes include organisms belonging to genera such as Aspergillus, Bacillus and other microorganisms.
Microbes and Bioactive Molecules
Microorganisms produce many biologically active substances that have important medical applications.
Cyclosporin A
Cyclosporin A is an immunosuppressive compound produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum.
It has been used in organ-transplant medicine because immunosuppression can help reduce rejection of transplanted organs.
Statins
Statins are compounds that can lower blood cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis.
In NCERT-based biology, statins are associated with the yeast Monascus purpureus.
They act as competitive inhibitors of the enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis and therefore can help reduce cholesterol levels.
Important Microbe-Product Examples for NEET
| Microorganism | Product | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus | Lactic acid / Curd | Food fermentation |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae | Alcohol / Bread | Fermentation |
| Propionibacterium shermanii | Swiss cheese | Cheese production |
| Penicillium roqueforti | Roquefort cheese | Cheese production |
| Penicillium | Penicillin | Antibiotic |
| Streptomyces griseus | Streptomycin | Antibiotic |
| Aspergillus niger | Citric acid | Organic acid |
| Acetobacter aceti | Acetic acid | Vinegar |
| Trichoderma polysporum | Cyclosporin A | Immunosuppressive agent |
| Monascus purpureus | Statins | Cholesterol-lowering compound |
Why Are Microbes Important in Industry?
Microorganisms are valuable industrial organisms because they can carry out biochemical reactions efficiently under controlled conditions.
Large-scale production commonly takes place in specially designed vessels called fermenters.
Industrial fermentation allows manufacturers to control factors such as temperature, pH, nutrients, oxygen and microbial growth.
Household vs Industrial Applications
| Household Applications | Industrial Applications |
|---|---|
| Curd | Antibiotics |
| Bread | Organic acids |
| Cheese | Industrial enzymes |
| Dosa and idli | Bioactive molecules |
| Fermented beverages | Large-scale fermentation products |
NEET Quick Revision
- Lactobacillus → Curd / lactic acid
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae → Bread and alcoholic fermentation
- Propionibacterium shermanii → Swiss cheese
- Penicillium roqueforti → Roquefort cheese
- Penicillium → Penicillin
- Streptomyces griseus → Streptomycin
- Aspergillus niger → Citric acid
- Acetobacter aceti → Acetic acid
- Trichoderma polysporum → Cyclosporin A
- Monascus purpureus → Statins
Frequently Asked Questions
Which microbe is used to make curd?
Lactobacillus, a lactic acid bacterium, is involved in curd formation.
Which microorganism is used in bread making?
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly called baker's yeast, is used in bread making.
Which microorganism produces penicillin?
Penicillin was obtained from the fungus Penicillium.
Which microorganism produces streptomycin?
Streptomyces griseus is associated with the production of streptomycin.
Which microorganism produces citric acid?
Aspergillus niger is an important microbial source of citric acid.
Which microbe produces Cyclosporin A?
Trichoderma polysporum produces Cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressive compound.
Which microorganism is associated with statins?
Monascus purpureus is associated with statin production in NCERT-based biology.
Final Takeaway
Microorganisms are extremely important in our daily lives and in modern industries. Their metabolic activities are used to produce foods, beverages, antibiotics, organic acids, enzymes and medically important bioactive molecules.
For NEET Biology, the most important strategy is to remember the microbe → product → application relationship.
Master these microbial examples and this chapter becomes much easier to revise.