Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Chapter 27
Useful Microbes
Microorganisms in Industry
•Microorganisms
Produce Many Useful
Organic Compounds
•Primary metabolites
are directly involved in
normal growth,
development, and
reproduction.
Many secondary metabolites have value as food additives,
pharmaceuticals, vitamins, etc.
•Secondary metabolites have important ecological functions,
and are often species specific.
Microorganisms Also Produce Important Enzymes and
Other Products
Some enzymes are important commercially, such as:
1. amylase
2. pectinase
3. several proteases
The wine is aged in wooden casks, where unique flavor and aromas
develop based on:
•yeast
•cask wood
•organic compounds in the fruit/plant
•Distilled Spirits Contain More Alcohol than Beer or Wine
S. griseus
Some Microbial Products Can Be Used to Control Insects
•If ingested by caterpillars, the toxin lyses the gut wall causing
paralysis and bacterial invasion
B. thuringiensis
Naturally occurring
Pseudomonas species
can be stimulated to
degrade oil in spills
Species of Arthrobacter
degrade oil and allow plant
growth in spill regions
Exxon Valdvez
Anaerobic and aerobic bacteria can reduce polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) to:
•carbon dioxide
•water
•hydrogen chloride
•radioactive waste
•ionic mercury compounds
Plasmids
Scientists hope to insert genes from Rhizobium into grain
plants, removing the need for fertilizer