Friendly Microorganisms

Making of Curd and Bread

Making Curd:

1. Fermentation by Bacteria:
   • Beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, play a crucial role in curd formation.
   • These bacteria ferment lactose in milk, producing lactic acid, which causes the milk proteins to coagulate and form curd.
2. Temperature and Time:
   • Heating the milk initially helps denature the proteins, while cooling allows the bacteria to thrive.
   • Allowing the mixture to sit undisturbed at a warm temperature for several hours promotes the growth of bacteria, leading to curd formation.

Making Bread:

1. Yeast Fermentation:
   • Yeast is a microorganism that ferments sugars in the dough, producing carbon dioxide gas.
   • The carbon dioxide causes the dough to rise, creating a light and airy texture in the bread.
2. Proofing and Rising:
   • Allowing the dough to rest and rise provides time for the yeast to act and produce carbon dioxide.
   • This process, known as proofing, is essential for achieving the desired texture and flavor in the bread.

Commercial Use of Microorganisms

1. Alcohol Production:
   • Microbial Involvement: Microorganisms, particularly yeast, are crucial for the large-scale production of alcohol.
   • Yeast Fermentation: Yeast is cultivated on natural sugars found in grains such as barley, wheat, and rice, as well as in crushed fruit juices.
   • Fermentation Process: The natural sugars serve as a substrate for yeast fermentation, producing alcohol as a byproduct. This process is widely used in the production of alcoholic beverages.
2. Wine Production:
   • Commercial Role of Yeast: Yeast plays a central role in the commercial production of wine.
   • Fermentation in Grapes: During winemaking, yeast ferments the sugars naturally present in grapes, converting them into alcohol and contributing to the unique flavors and characteristics of the wine.
3. Acetic Acid (Vinegar) Production:
   • Microbial Transformation: Microorganisms are also involved in the production of acetic acid, commonly known as vinegar.
   • Acetobacter Bacteria: Acetobacter, a type of bacteria, is often used in the fermentation process to convert ethanol (alcohol) into acetic acid, resulting in the production of vinegar.

Medicinal Use of Microorganisms

1. Source of Antibiotics:
   • Microorganisms as Sources: Microorganisms serve as the source of antibiotics, which are medications used to treat bacterial infections.
   • Common Examples: Antibiotics like penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and erythromycin are frequently used to combat various diseases.
2. Mode of Action:
   • Microbial Inhibition: Antibiotics work by either killing or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
   • Diverse Applications: These medicines are versatile and used to treat a variety of diseases in humans and animals.
3. Production from Bacteria and Fungi:
   • Diversity of Sources: Antibiotics are produced from a range of microorganisms, with bacteria and fungi being key contributors.
   • Commonly Used Antibiotics: Streptomycin, tetracycline, and erythromycin are highlighted as examples of antibiotics derived from fungi and bacteria.
4. Industrial Manufacturing:
   • Cultivation of Microorganisms: Antibiotics are manufactured by cultivating specific microorganisms in controlled environments.
   • Broad Applications: The resulting antibiotics are used not only in human medicine but also in agriculture, such as being mixed with livestock and poultry feed to prevent microbial infections.
5. Control of Microbial Infections:
   • Livestock and Poultry Health: Antibiotics are integrated into the feed of livestock and poultry to control and prevent microbial infections in animals.
   • Agricultural Applications: Antibiotics are also utilized in agriculture to manage and prevent plant diseases caused by microorganisms.

Vaccine

1. Antibody Production and Memory:
   • When disease-causing microbes enter the body, antibodies are produced to fight and remember how to combat the invader in the future.
   • The introduction of dead or weakened microbes triggers the production of antibodies, providing long-term protection.
2. Vaccine Mechanism:
   • Vaccines work by introducing dead or weakened microbes, allowing the body to produce antibodies.
   • Antibodies remain in the body, providing lasting protection against disease-causing microbes.
3. Preventable Diseases through Vaccination:
   • Diseases like cholera, tuberculosis, smallpox, and hepatitis can be prevented through vaccination.
4. Childhood Vaccinations:
   • In childhood, individuals are often vaccinated against various diseases for long-term protection.
   • Common childhood vaccinations include those for polio, smallpox, and other preventable diseases.
5. Global Eradication Efforts:
   • Worldwide campaigns, like the one against smallpox, have led to the eradication of certain diseases from most parts of the world.
6. Large-Scale Vaccine Production:
   • Vaccines are produced on a large scale from microorganisms to protect humans and animals from various diseases.
   • Access to necessary vaccines is available in nearby hospitals to ensure the well-being of children.

Increasing Soil Fertility

1. Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria:
   • Some bacteria, referred to as biological nitrogen fixers, have the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.
2. Soil Enrichment:
   • These bacteria enrich the soil with nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for plant growth.
3. Increased Fertility:
   • The process of nitrogen fixation by these microbes enhances soil fertility, supporting better plant development.

Cleaning the Environment

1. Manure Production:
   • Plant, vegetable, and fruit wastes were collected and deposited in a pit for waste disposal.
   • Microbes facilitated the decomposition of the waste over time, transforming it into nutrient-rich manure.
2. Microbial Decomposition:
   • Microbes play a crucial role in breaking down plant waste, converting it into usable nutrients for plants.
3. Difference in Pot Contents:
   • Plant waste in one pot underwent decomposition, resulting in manure, while non-organic items in another pot did not decompose due to the absence of microbial action.
4. Role of Microorganisms in Environment:
   • Microorganisms are instrumental in decomposing dead organic matter, turning it into simpler substances.
   • This decomposition process supports the recycling of nutrients, benefitting other plants and animals.
   • Microbes also contribute to cleaning up the environment by degrading harmful and odorous substances.