Microbiology

Microbiology Study Guide

filtered before it is placed in cans or bottles for sale. Microbial Products When microbes are used for industrial purposes, it is called industrial microbiology. In industrial microbiology, genetic engineering of microorganisms with foreign genes has been done to produce anticoagulants, antidepressants, herbicides, enzymes, vitamins, insecticides, and vasodilators. A large number of organic matter is produced with the help of microbes in commercial and industrial units. Enzymes Amylase is the main enzyme produced by bacteria in commercial and industrial plants. The role of this enzyme is to form carbohydrates after breaking down starches so that it can be used for different industrial use, like brewing, textile, and baking. Another major enzyme produced by industries is proteases, with the help of bacteria. Protease helps to break down proteins and is widely used in preparing meat, leather, cheese, and detergent. Polysaccharides Polysaccharides are produced by many industries like cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, and petroleum for different purposes. For instance, the polysaccharide Anthrax is produced by the cosmetic industry with the help of bacterium Xanthomonas Campestris, and is used to provide thickness to the base of cosmetic products. Anthrax is also used in pharmaceutical industries as a binding agent and is even used in dying and printing firms. Another polysaccharide used for the purpose of extending blood plasma is Dextran, which is produced from the bacterium Leuconostoc Mesenteroides . Nutrients A number of nutrient supplements, like amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, and nucleotides, are produced with the help of microorganisms and marketed by health laboratories and health stores. For instance, herpes simplex infections are treated using lysine, which is produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium Glutamicum . Further, the microorganisms Cyanocobalamine and Riboflavin are used to produce vitamin B12 and vitamin B2, respectively. Chemotherapeutic Agents A large number of chemotherapeutic agents are manufactured every year using microorganisms. In the United States, more than two billion dollars are spent on the production of drugs every year. Most of the antibiotics are produced using the fungi Penicillium , Cephalosporium and bacteraemia Streptomyces . Insecticides and Leaching Agents To rid of caterpillars, like gypsy moth larvae and tomato hornworms, a toxic crystal produced by the bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis should be used. This bacterium is sprayed over the growing plants and invades the digestive tract of these insects, acting as a successful insecticide. The bacterium

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