Microbes rule the world. It’s that simple
And for this reason alone, microbes are useful to us in all facets of our lives. And this includes but is not limited to agriculture, medicine, environment, and food.
The usefulness of microbes to man
- Microbial communities make an essential element of oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur which are essential for life on our planet.
- Microorganisms carry out almost half of the photosynthesis on earth thereby increasing oxygen levels and a reduction of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere.
- Microorganisms include fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and most times they are presumed to be harmful to use due to their secondary metabolites and diseases produced in the cause of their life.
- Among trillions of microscopic creatures found in the air, water, soil, and human and animal bodies, only a few are said to be pathogens. Eg Mycoplasma gonorrhea, and Streptococcus pyrogens.
- Microorganisms are involved in the production of dairy products through the process of fermentation. Dairy products such as milk, buttermilk, yogurt, alcoholic beverage, bread, and creams.
- Bacteria and viruses are isolated and their antigens and enzymes are extracted and used in the development of antibiotics and antivirals.
- Enzymes gotten from some microbes are used in the production of some enzymes such as lipase, lactase, protease, and petiolate.
- Microorganisms can be used as a secondary treatment stage for sewage treatment.
- Also used to keep insects and pests away from crops.
- Some anaerobic bacteria found in marine sediment convert organic matter to petroleum through a series of processes such as deamination, decarboxylation, methylation, and desulphurization.
- Bacteria are known to produce methane and other small amounts of higher oil and waxes.
Conclusion
The question of how microbes are useful to us cannot be answered fully because there is a lot to be known and explored through microbial activities.
The field needs more scientists and researchers who are open to new development and not satisfied or rigid with previous findings.
Microorganisms and their uses remain man’s past, present, and future solutions to the planet’s problems.
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