ROLES OF MICROBES IN THE INDUSTRY

BIO163

SILAGE
Traditional way:
Mixed culture, mainly Lactobacillus spp Discourages growth of Clostridium and Listeria monocytogenes

Heterloactic fermentation

SINGLE CELL PROTEIN (SCP)

Bacteria, yeast, microalgae grown in large uantities as protein source in animal (and human) feeds Methylophilus methylotrophus

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Bacillus thuringiensis, B. subtilis bioinsecticide (ICP), Bt corn B. thuringiensis, B. sphaericus, Clostridium bifermentans produce toxins that can kill mosquitoes Genetically modified Pseudomonas syringae Ina protein
P. fluorescens

BIOMINING / BIOLEACHING
Chemolithotrophic bacteria to extract metals from low -grade ores Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Tiobacillus thiooxidans recover y of copper from chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) at low pH Thiobacillus in the recover y of gold fro arsenopyrite ores

BIOLOGICAL WASHING POWDERS

Bacillus licheniformis produce enzymes subtilisins used as washing powders
enzymes hydolyze peptide and ester bonds and not dependent on water hardness

AEROBIC SEWAGE TREATMENT

Ciliates (protozoa) and Zooglea ramigera biofilms Activated sludge Actinobacter spp., Alcaligenes spp., Sphaerotilus natans, Z. ramigera, ciliates, flagellates and amoebae Biological aerated filter granular material coated with biofilm acting as both filter and organic assimilator Nitosomonas spp dominant nitrifier

ANAEROBIC SEWAGE TREATMENT

Sewage with high solid content Decomposition of organic matter to gaseous products by a wide variety of bacteria
Methanogens, Clostridium spp. and Bacteroides Production of biogas and methane

WATER TREATMENT
Disinfection of water supply against
Campylobacter, Clostridium, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio Indicator organisms coliforms and fecal streptococci

Rural areas can use multi-layerd local fabric to retain V. cholerae

BIOPOLYMERS
Alcaligenes eutrophus produces polyhydroxybutarate
Arabidopsis thaliana with geneticall inserted gene from A, eutrophus can also synthesize PHB

OTHER USES
Therapy
Clostridium botulinum and C. tetani toxins intreatment of hyperactive muscle disorders

Bioremediation
Microbe-based clean-up of polutants