Microbes in Human Welfare

Bacteria or microorganisms make up the bulk of the earth's biological systems. They are everywhere, they are everywhere - inside the soil, around us, in the water, in the air we breathe, both inside and out of our body. Animals and plants also contain viruses or microorganisms. They are very small, naturally microscopic, varying in shape and size. They can only be seen with a microscope.

The different types of microbes are:

• Algae
• Bacteria
• Mould
• Protozoa
• Virus

Several beneficial microorganisms that benefit people in various ways besides germs that cause infectious diseases. Some of the most important contributions of microbes to human well-being are discussed below.

In Household Products

• Fermentation of milk to prepare yogurt.
• Wrap the milk to prepare the curd, cheese, and paneer.
• Fermentation of dough used in making bread, idli ,and dosa.

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In Industrial Products

• Production Beverages such as wine, beer, whiskey, brandy, or rum.
• Producing antibiotics such as Penicillin and other chemical compounds to kill or prevent the spread of disease-causing bacteria.
• A few chemicals, enzymes and other bioactive molecules are also produced by these bacteria for use in humans in various ways.

In Sewage Treatment

• Sewage is treated with waste disposal systems (STPs) before disposal to reduce the natural pollution caused by heterotrophic bacteria present in the faeces. Treatment is divided into two phases - Basic Treatment, Second Treatment or Biological Treatment
• These processes greatly reduce the biochemical oxygen demand of wastewater. BOD is the amount of oxygen that could be used if every living thing was a liter of water. Sewage is treated to minimize the BOD effect as the BOD measures microbial absorption rate by a water sample. Therefore, the BOD may be a measure of the biodiversity present in water. In addition to the oxygen demand of living organisms, their increase is due to their pollution potential.

In Biogas production

• Methanobacterium, commonly found in anaerobic mud, is used to facilitate stool treatment. They are also found in the region of herdsmen.
• Cow dung, also known as Gobar, is rich in bacteria and is therefore used for the production of biogas commonly known as Gobar gas.

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As Biocontrol Agents

• The use of biological methods to control pests and diseases in plants is called biocontrol which has been found to contain chemicals - pesticides and pesticides.
• The use of biological control measures will significantly reduce dependence on toxic chemicals and pesticides to a large extent.
• Biological farming improves health practices such as sectoral living, insect and predatory animals, health cycles, dietary patterns that help to create appropriate environmental management practices.
• Bacillus thuringiensis, found as dried seeds, sprayed on endangered plants is one example of Microbial biocontrol agents.
• The development of genetic engineering has enabled scientists to duplicate B genes. thuringiensis in the body of the plant thus making them resistant to pests. Example - Bt-cotton
• Most baculoviruses used as biological control agents belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Bacteria are also used as biofertilizers.

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