Microbes, the unsung heroes of the microscopic world, are at the heart of some incredible everyday products. These tiny organisms have been hard at work brewing up beverages, creating antibiotics, and even helping us make biofuels. Let’s dive into this microbial world and discover the amazing things they produce for us.
1. Beers, Wines, and Spirits
We can thank microbe magicians, like Brewer’s Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), for our favorite adult beverages. They turn malted cereals and fruit juices into the magical elixirs known as wine, beer, and spirits. Cheers to microbes for making happy hour possible!
Among the beverages mentioned, Wine and Beer are made without distillation, while Whiskey, Brandy, and Rum are distilled.
2. Antibiotics
Microbes are the architects of antibiotics, which have been a gamechanger for human health. Streptomycin, Penicillin, Tetracycline and other microbial marvels help us fight off nasty infections. Talk about tiny superheroes!
3. Organic Acids
Microbes dabble in the culinary world by producing organic acids like citric acid and acetic acid. They add that zing to our foods and drinks, all thanks to microorganisms like Aspergillus Niger and Acetobacter acetii.
4. Amino Acids
Microbes also help jazz up our food with amino acids they produce. Amino Acids such as Lysine and Glutamic acid give our taste buds a party, and we even have Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) as flavor enhancing compound.
In the early days, monosodium glutamate (MSG) was extracted from vegetable proteins (wheat and soy).
5. Enzymes
Microbes are the ultimate cleanup crew. They produce enzymes such as Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Catalase, and more.
These enzymes that help in various industries, such as food processing and preservation, washing powders, the leather industry, paper industry, and scientific research.
6. Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for our health, and human body cannot produce them. Thus, we get them in small amount through our daily diet.
Microbes are capable of producing vitamins. From thiamine and folic acid to vitamin B12 and biotin, these microbial powerhouses have us covered with our daily vitamin fix.
7. Biofuels
The petrochemical industry uses organic solvents such as ethanol for petrol blending. Microbes, especially yeast, have a hand in producing ethanol. Ethanol contains oxygen which allows engine to more completely combust fuel. This results ion fewer emissions and thereby less air pollution.
Thus, it’s an ecofriendly way to fuel our vehicles, and Brazil was the pioneer in making ethanol from sugarcane and cassava.
8. Single Cell Protein (SCP)
When large part world is suffering from hunger and malnutrition, Single Cell proteins from microbes like Spirulina can come to the rescue. Spirulina can grow on various waste materials such as wastewater, straw, molasses, animal manure, etc.
Single Cell proteins are microbial cells that are rich in protein. They can serve as food rich in protein, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
9. Steroids
Microbes are involved in producing steroids that are used as antiinflammatory drugs and hormones. Producing steroids from animal or chemical sources is difficult. But, microbes can easily transform sterols or related compounds into steroids, which are essential for our health.
10. Vaccines
Microbes also play a vital role in vaccine production. Vaccines are often massproduced in chicken eggs or cell cultures. Recombinant DNA technology involving microbes is also helping in the development of new vaccines.
11. Pharmaceutical Drugs
Microbes are like tiny pharmacists producing essential drugs. Cyclosporin A, used in organ transplant patients, is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. Meanwhile, Statins produced by Monascus purpureus (yeast) help lower blood cholesterol levels. Microbes are like having a microscopic pharmacy at our disposal!
In our daily life, microbes are the unsung heroes, working their magic to create products that enhance our lives and wellbeing. From the joy of sipping a cold beer to the lifesaving antibiotics and innovative biofuels, we owe a lot to these tiny superheroes.
That’s all for now, but the scientific journey doesn’t stop here! Dive into the next article and keep the curiosity alive. What topic should we explore next? Share your thoughts in the comments — let’s unfold the wonders of science together!
Read More: How do Bacteria become Resistant to Antibiotics?
Keep Reading, Keep Exploring, Keep Sharing the knowledge, and, of course, Stay Curious and Stay Scientific!
Read More: 11 Algae that are Used as Human Food.
References:
- Prescott, L. M., Harley, J. P., & Klein, D. A. (2002). Microbiology. WCB/McGrawHill.
- Madigan, M. T., Martinko, J. M., & Parker, J. (2017). Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Pearson.
- Lee, Y. Y., & Blaschek, H. P. (1982). Ethanol production by Zymomonas mobilis. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 13(3), 173-177.
Science Samhita 
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