Question

State the medicinal value and the bioactive molecules produced by Streptococcus and Trichoderma.

Answer 1

Hint: Bioactive molecules are the molecules which are produced as a result of microbial activities. Streptococcus is gram positive bacteria which is found in the form of chains or pairs. Trichoderma are asexually reproducing fungi, also called soil fungi.

Complete answer:
Bioactive molecules produced by living organisms perform specific functions in the body of other organisms. The bioactive molecule present in Streptococcus is Streptokinase Enzyme. It is used as a clot buster, that is, used as a clot removing enzymes from the blood vessels of patients who have had heart attacks. Streptokinase is genetically modified to work accordingly.
The bioactive molecule present in yeast Trichoderma polysporum is Cyclosporin A. It is used as an immunosuppressant drug during organ transplantation.

Additional information:
Yeast also produces bioactive molecules, for example, statins which are produced by yeast Monascus purpureus. It is commercialized as a blood cholesterol lowering agent. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cholesterol. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used for the commercial purpose of brewing and produces ethanol. Microbes also produce various enzymes such as lipases, which are used in detergents and are also used to remove oil stains from the clothes. Pectinases and proteases are used to clarify store bought bottled juice.

Note: Microbes are not only used commercially but are also used in sewage treatment and biogas production. Sewage treatment plants contain large amounts of organic matter and microbes mostly which are pathogenic. They help break down complex matters. Bacillus is mostly present in wastewater which is best suited for the breakdown of fats, oils, greases. In biogas production, methanogens are present which release methane, for example, Methanobacterium.