Essential Roles of Microbes in Industrial Manufacturing
Microbes are also called microorganisms. They are the major components of biological systems on the planet earth, which are present everywhere, around us, in the soil, water, air, and both in and on our bodies. They are also found in other animals and plants. These organisms are so minute and vary in their size and shapes, which cannot be seen by our naked eyes. They can only be seen through the microscope, therefore, they are also referred to as microscopic organisms.
The different types of microbes are:
Algae
Bacteria
Fungi
Protozoa
Virus
Microbiology
The study of various microorganisms and their applications in industrial processes is known as the branch of Biotechnology and Microbiology in Industrial Microbiology.
In large-scale industrial processes, microbes are widely used to synthesize a number of products valuable to human beings. There are many industrial products that arise from microbes such as:
Food additives.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Biofuels, metabolites, and biofertilizers.
Few Chemicals, Enzymes and other Bioactive Molecules.
Vaccines and other Antibiotics kill or retard the growth of disease-causing microbes.
Role of Microbes in Industrial Products
These microbes play a crucial role in the fermentation process to obtain a number of products. Fruit juices, malted cereals, fermented beverages and some antibiotics are the products that are obtained by fermentation through industrial processes.
Beverages
For the production of beverages like beer, brandy, rum, wine, whiskey, etc, yeasts are the widely used microorganisms. Yeasts are single-celled, eukaryotic, microorganisms of the Kingdom Fungi. In this industrial process, the species of yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, generally called Brewer’s Yeasts are used for fermenting fruit juices and malted cereals to produce ethanol. Once after the fermentation, these beverages are distilled to produce both Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including whiskey, brandy, rum, etc.
Organic Acids
Certain organic acids are also produced by the use of microbes. The first discovered organic acid was Citric Acid that was from the microbial fermentation of lemon. Some examples of organic acids that are produced from glucose are - Aspergillus Niger, Acetobacter acute and Lactobacillus
Enzymes
Enzymes are naturally occurring, biological catalysts that are mainly used to control certain biochemical reactions in the living system. Enzymes have a wide range of applications in the production of both medical and non-medical fields. Apart from the plants and animals, enzymes are also obtained from certain microbes and are referred to as microbial enzymes. Microorganisms are mainly used for the production of industrial enzymes by using safe gene transfer methods. The first industrially produced microbial enzymes were obtained from the fungal amylase in the year 1896 and were used to cure indigestion and several other digestive disorders.
Antibiotic
Antibiotics are chemical substances produced by certain microbes which function either by killing or retarding the growth of harmful microbes without affecting the host cells. Penicillin was the first antibiotic to be discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 from the fungus Penicilliumnotatum. There are many other antibiotics produced by microorganisms, including Streptomycin, and other antibiotics used to treat a number of bacterial infections.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that are capable of performing many life-sustaining functions inside our bodies. They are essential micronutrients that are required in small quantities for the body’s metabolism. As our body cannot synthesize these vitamins, they need to be supplied through the diet. Apart from plant and animal sources, microbes are also capable of synthesizing vitamins. There are a few groups of microbes living in the digestive tracts of both humans and other animals which are collectively called the gut microbiota. These microbes are involved in synthesizing vitamin K. Other examples of microbial vitamins include ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, biotin, ergosterol, folic acid, vitamin b12, thiamine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and pyridoxine.
The role of microbes in industrial products was a less talked about topic. Apart from these products, microbes are also used in the production of biofuel, vaccines, protein, and other hormonal supplements to treat malnutrition and other deficiency diseases in both humans and animals.
Primary and Secondary Metabolites
This topic describes the role of primary and secondary metabolites in industrial microbiology. Students will be able to apply the concepts of obtaining amino acids through Metabolites as well as the development of antibiotics and vaccines along with the process involved in isolating chemicals for obtaining organic synthesis.
There are three major categories that metabolism of Bacteria can be widely classified -
Carbon Source
Electron Donors
Energy
Different types of metabolism can be obtained through pathogenic bacteria. Metabolites are characterized by molecules with different functions and features. These metabolites can be again sub-categorized into primary and secondary metabolites.
Primary Metabolites
The growth, reproduction, and development of an organism are the functions of primary metabolites. Primary metabolites are usually referred to as central metabolites as the core function is to maintain the physiological process. Primary metabolites are essential properties for growth, especially during the growth phase from the result of the energy metabolism.
Alcohol is one of the examples of large-scale production in the field of industrial microbiology using primary metabolites. Examples include a few amino acids, ethanol, and lactic acids.
Alcohol is majorly used in the process of fermentation to produce different beverages like wine and beer.
Secondary Metabolites
The modification in the primary metabolite synthases results in organic compounds producing secondary metabolites. Unlike primary metabolites, secondary metabolites do not carry any of the functions in reproductions, growth or development. Secondary metabolites are formed during the end of the stationary growth phase. Ecological functions like producing pigments, defense mechanisms, antibiotics, etc are regularized by the secondary metabolites.
Atropine which is obtained from plants is one of the examples of secondary metabolites and has great importance in the clinic. Also, a few antibiotics are considered secondary metabolites like bacitracin. This antibiotic is used as a topical drug and is synthesized in nature.
Large Scale Fermentation - Industrial Microbiology
This topic describes the role of large-scale fermentation in industrial microbiology. Students will be able to apply the concepts of food production, beverages with alcohol content, fuel, and recombinant produce such as insulin. Large-scale fermentation plays a vital role in numerous products from food to even pharmaceutical items.
Fermentation refers to the processes that derive energy from the oxidation of organic molecules. Organic compounds are oxidized by using an endogenous electron acceptor to transport electrons released from nutrients to molecules formed by the breakdown of these same nutrients.
At the industrial level, several forms of fermentation occur, such as ethanol fermentation and fermentation processes used to make food and wine. The capacity to use the fermentation process under anaerobic environments is crucial for organisms that rely on glycolysis for ATP synthesis. Fermentation can also take place in aerobic settings since yeast cells prefer fermentation over oxidative phosphorylation. The following is a quick review of many types of large-scale fermentations used by enterprises in the production of goods.
Ethanol Fermentation
Ethanol that is used in the food industry, fuel industry, and beverages industry is produced through Ethanol fermentation. Ethanol fermentation is a simple process of converting sugar like sucrose, glucose, and fructose into energy by ensuring carbon dioxide and ethanol both are produced as waste products.
Yeast is the most commonly used organism in the process of ethanol fermentation for alcoholic beverages. Yeast is used largely by industries to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide.
For example, the yeast present in bread converts the sugar to energy and at the same time produces carbon dioxide and ethanol in the process.
Recombinant Products
Fermentation is also used in the large-scale manufacturing of recombinant products. Numerous medications, such as insulin and the hepatitis B vaccination, are examples of recombinant products. Insulin, which is generated by the pancreas, is a fundamental regulator of carbohydrate and fat metabolism and is in charge of regulating blood glucose levels. Insulin is a medication used to treat people who have diabetes mellitus. Individuals with type 1 diabetes are unable to generate insulin, but those with type 2 diabetes frequently develop insulin resistance, in which the hormone is no longer efficient.
Quick Facts on Microbes
The bacterium which is used in curdling milk is called Lactobacillus bacteria.
Acetic Acid is produced by the bacterium Acetobacter acetic and butyric acid is produced by the bacterium Clostridium butylicum.
The penicillin antibiotic is obtained from the fungus – Penicillium notatum.
Rhizobium is Gram-negative soil bacteria that fix nitrogen and helps plants to observe atmospheric nitrogen.
FAQs on Microbes in Industrial Products: Types and Applications
1. What are the main categories of industrial products that are commercially produced using microbes?
Microbes are used in large-scale industrial processes to synthesise a variety of valuable products. The main categories include:
- Fermented Beverages: Products like wine, beer, whiskey, and brandy produced using yeast.
- Organic Acids: Chemicals such as citric acid, acetic acid, and lactic acid.
- Enzymes: Biological catalysts like lipases, proteases, and pectinases used in various industries.
- Antibiotics: Life-saving drugs like Penicillin that kill or inhibit harmful bacteria.
- Bioactive Molecules: Medically important molecules like statins for cholesterol control and cyclosporin A as an immunosuppressant.
2. Which microbe is essential for producing fermented beverages like beer and wine, and what is its role?
The microbe essential for producing most alcoholic beverages is the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as Brewer's Yeast. Its role is to carry out anaerobic fermentation of the sugars present in malted cereals and fruit juices. This process converts the sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide, which are the key components of these beverages.
3. How are microbes used to produce specific organic acids? Give two examples.
Microbes produce organic acids as part of their metabolic processes, which can be harnessed for industrial production. Two key examples are:
- Citric Acid: Produced by the fungus Aspergillus niger through the fermentation of a sugar-based medium.
- Acetic Acid: Produced by the bacterium Acetobacter aceti, which oxidises ethanol into acetic acid, the main component of vinegar.
4. What was the first antibiotic discovered, and which microbe produces it?
The first antibiotic discovered was Penicillin. It was a chance discovery by Alexander Fleming in 1928. He observed that the mould Penicillium notatum (now known as Penicillium rubens) produced a chemical substance that inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus bacteria.
5. What are some common enzymes produced by microbes and what are their industrial applications?
Microbes are a major source of industrial enzymes. Common examples and their uses include:
- Lipases: Used in detergent formulations to help remove oily stains from laundry.
- Pectinases and Proteases: Used to clarify bottled fruit juices by breaking down pectin and proteins, resulting in a clearer product.
- Streptokinase: Produced by the bacterium Streptococcus, it is used as a 'clot buster' for removing blood clots from patients who have suffered a heart attack.
6. Why are microbes grown in large vessels called 'fermenters' or 'bioreactors' for industrial production?
Microbes are grown in large fermenters for industrial production to ensure optimal conditions for large-scale growth and product formation. These vessels allow for precise control over key parameters like temperature, pH, substrate, salts, vitamins, and oxygen supply. This controlled environment maximises the yield of the desired product (like an antibiotic or enzyme) and maintains sterility, preventing contamination by other unwanted microbes.
7. What is the fundamental difference between primary and secondary metabolites produced by microbes?
The fundamental difference lies in their role and production phase. Primary metabolites, like ethanol and amino acids, are produced during the active growth phase (log phase) of the microbe and are essential for its growth, development, and reproduction. In contrast, secondary metabolites, like antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) and pigments, are not essential for the microbe's survival and are typically produced during the stationary phase, after active growth has ceased.
8. Beyond antibiotics, what are some other modern bioactive molecules produced by microbes for medical use?
Microbes are a source of powerful bioactive molecules used in modern medicine, apart from antibiotics. Two significant examples are:
- Statins: Produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus, statins are used as blood-cholesterol-lowering agents. They work by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis.
- Cyclosporin A: Produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum, it is a potent immunosuppressive agent used in organ-transplant patients to prevent rejection of the new organ.
9. How does adding microbial enzymes like lipases improve the effectiveness of laundry detergents?
Adding microbial enzymes like lipases to detergents significantly improves their cleaning power. Oily stains on clothes are primarily made of fats, which are not soluble in water. Lipases act as biological catalysts that break down these large fat molecules (lipids) into smaller, more water-soluble components. This allows the water to wash the stain away effectively, which is particularly useful for washing in lower temperatures.
10. Why is using microbes for industrial production often more advantageous than chemical synthesis?
Using microbes for industrial production is often superior to traditional chemical synthesis for several reasons. Microbial processes typically occur at lower temperatures and pressures, making them more energy-efficient and cost-effective. Furthermore, microbes can be grown on inexpensive raw materials, can be genetically modified to improve yields, and often produce fewer toxic by-products, making the process more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
