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Economic Importance of Bacteria: Beneficial Uses & Functions

Economic Importance of Bacteria: The human relationship with bacteria is quite fascinating. Many bacteria are considered to be hazardous. A specific type of bacteria causes diseases like typhoid, cholera, diphtheria, pneumonia, and numerous infections in open wounds. However, life on Earth would be impossible without the work of some species of bacteria. Certain bacteria are cultivated by humans since they are required for biological processes. Bacteria are one of the most common life forms on the planet. They are also among the tiniest of all living creatures.

The Economic Importance of Bacteria comes from the fact that bacteria may be used by humans in a variety of useful ways. Despite the fact that some bacteria cells play harmful roles, such as causing disease and spoiling food, the economic importance of bacteria includes both their useful and harmful aspects. This article will study more about the Economic Importance of Bacteria and their roles.

What are Bacteria Cells?

Bacteria are the members of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which may have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease. Bacteria (singular bacterium) are the members of the kingdom Monera, the only prokaryotic kingdom. They comprise a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. They may be saprophytes, deriving their food from dead and decaying matter, or parasites, living on or inside the body of other organisms. Some of them also have an autotrophic mode of nutrition. Some forms, like Nostoc , contain chlorophyll.

Fig: Bacteria

Are Bacteria Plants or Animals?

Bacteria are prokaryotic. They do not have a true nucleus and no membrane-bound organelles. Scientists have never entirely agreed on how to classify bacteria. They show heterotrophic nutrition like animals, and some have autotrophic nutrition, like plants. But they cannot be grouped in either of these groups. They are neither plants nor animals.

What is the Economic Importance of Bacteria?

Bacteria have widespread economic importance as they are used in various processes, as discussed below. The Economic Importance of Bacteria examples will help understand the significance of bacteria.

1. Dairy products

Quite a few genera of bacteria are used in food preparation, directly or indirectly.

a. Formation of Curd: Milk is converted into curd by bacterial action. The milk’s lactose is converted into lactic acid, which gives the characteristic sour taste of the curd. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) like Lactobacillus are added to milk. Indian curd is prepared by inoculating milk with Lactobacillus acidophilus .

b. Yoghurt preparation: It is produced by curdling milk with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus .

c. Cheese production starts with milk coagulated with lactic acid bacteria and the curd formed is filtered to separate the whey. The solid mass is then ripened with the growth of mould that develops flavour in it. Propionibacterium shermanii is used to make cheese.

2. In Industry A large number of products are obtained due to bacterial activity, directly proportional to the economic importance of Bacteria.


Vinegar or Acetic acid
Citric acid
Vitamin \({B_{12}}\)
Retting of Fibres like jute, etc.
The curing and ripening of tea and tobacco leave
Certain species of bacteria are used in The Preparation of leather from hides and skins of animals.

3. In Medicine Some bacteria have been exploited to produce antibiotics. Antibiotics like Terramycin, Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Aureomycin, Neomycin are obtained from different bacterial species.


Chloromycetin
Erythromycin
Streptomycin
Oxytetracycline /Terramycin
Bacitracin
Neomycin
Terramycin
Aureomycin

a. Vaccines: Several vaccines have been developed from either killed or attenuated (living but multiplying at low rates) bacteria. For example, tuberculosis vaccine, whooping cough vaccine, plague vaccine, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) vaccine, pneumonia vaccine are all prepared with the help of bacteria.

4. In Maintenance of Environmental Balance and Agriculture: Bacteria act as decomposers. They make the nutrient available for plants. Specific genera of bacteria are used as biocontrol agents in agriculture. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) yields protein-based toxins used to kill insects.

5. Nitrogen fixation and soil fertility: Certain bacteria are helpful in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Azotobacter and Clostridium are present in the soil and help in nitrogen fixation. Species of Rhizobium bacteria are present in the root nodules of leguminous plants, and they increase the soil’s nitrogen content by fixing up atmospheric nitrogen. The process is known as symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Several cyanobacteria also help in nitrogen fixation. Nostoc , Anabaena , etc., possess heterocysts with nitrogenase enzymes and fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiotic conditions. Nostoc is associated with the coralloid roots of Cycas and helps in this process. Anabaena azollae is associated with water fern, Azolla , and helps in nitrogen fixation in paddy fields.

6. Role in Nitrogen Cycling: Nitrification is one of the most critical steps in the nitrogen cycle, performed by nitrifying bacteria. Nitrifying bacteria are chemolithotrophic organisms that include the genera Nitrosomonas, Nitrococcus, Nitrobacter, Nitrobacillus , etc. These bacteria get their energy by the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen compounds.

The denitrifying bacteria, like Pseudomonas denitrificans , Thiobacillus denitrificans, transform the nitrates to atmospheric nitrogen.

7. Biogas Production: Biogas is a standard domestic and industrial fuel, which contains \(50-60\%\) methane, \(30-40\%\) carbon dioxide, \(0-3\%\) Sulphur compounds, and traces of other gases like hydrogen CO, nitrogen, etc.

1. In a biogas digester, cattle dung is used to obtain gas (gobar gas) in the following steps:

a. Hydrolysis is the initial step that needs anaerobic bacteria like Clostridium , Pseudomonas , etc. b. Acidogenesis is the second step, in which the facultatively anaerobic, acidogenic bacteria and obligate anaerobic organisms help convert the simple organic material into acids like formic acid, acetic acid, etc. c. Methanogenesis is the last step, in which anaerobic Methanogenic bacteria like Methanobacterium , Methanococcus , etc., convert organic acids into Methane.

8. Sewage Treatment: Sewage is agricultural and domestic waste products that pollute the water. The treatment to remove such waste is partially chemical, biological treatment. a. Secondary treatment is the biological treatment, which reduces the BOD significantly. Aerobic bacteria are used in this process. b. Tertiary treatment is done once there is a reduction of BOD in the settling tank. Mainly Methanogens grow anaerobically and produce biogas.

Formation of Curd with Bacteria

Curd formation from milk is performed by mixing LAB (Lactic Acid Bacteria), like Lactobacillus, with warm milk. These bacteria convert the milk sugar (lactose) into lactic acid resulting in the formation of curd. Once the curd is made, it is transferred to a cooler place to reduce the further growth of bacteria. Otherwise, the bacteria would make it sour by excessive production of lactic acid.

How are Bacteria Harmful to us?

1. Spoilage of Foodstuff: Cooked food, fruits, vegetables, butter, fish and meat are spoiled by bacteria, particularly during summer months, by causing putrefaction of food materials.

Fig: Food Poisoning Bacteria

Certain bacteria like Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium botulinum cause a severe type of food poisoning when bacteria-contaminated food is consumed. Clostridium botulinum causes food poisoning, commonly known as botulism. 2. Reduction of Soil Fertility – Denitrification: Certain species of anaerobic bacteria inhabit soils that are either waterlogged or have high organic matter content. These bacteria reduce soil fertility by depleting the soil’s nitrogen content. They break down nitrates present in the soil and release nitrogen, which escapes into the air, thereby reducing soil fertility (denitrification). 3. Animal Diseases: Bacteria cause tuberculosis in cattle, anthrax in sheep, cholera in chickens and pneumonia in horses, sheep and goats. 4. Human Diseases: Many serious diseases are caused by bacteria in human beings. Some of these are as follows:


Cholera
Diphtheria
Diarrhoea
Leprosy
Plague
Tetanus
Tuberculosis
Pneumonia
Typhoid

5. Plant Diseases: Several plant diseases are induced by bacteria. They cause leaf spots, soft rots, vascular diseases, and bacterial galls. Xanthomonas citri causes citrus canker. 6. Bioweapons : A bioweapon or biological weapon is a device that carries and delivers a disease-causing biological agent (like bacteria, viruses, genetically altered organisms) or a toxin derived from it to the target organism. The biological agent or toxin is called a bioweapon agent. Biological agents are used against humans, crops and animals. Such use of bioweapons is termed BioWare or biological war. Some of the bioweapons can cause anthrax, smallpox, plague and gastroenteritis. Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, Vibrio cholera of gastroenteritis and Yersinia pestis of plague. Botulinum toxin from Clostridium botulinum is used to cause fatal food poisoning. Some of these agents have already been used. For example, anthrax bacterium was sent through letters in \(2001.\) Bioweapons are low-cost weapons and cause far more casualties than conventional weapons.

In this article, we studied that bacteria are the members of the kingdom Monera. They are the most diverse organisms with wide distribution, modes of nutrition, reproduction, etc. They are saprobiotic, parasitis, and autotrophic in their nutrition. Some forms are helpful for human beings, while most others are pathogenic and cause harm to animals and plants. We also looked at the economic importance of bacteria processes through some examples.

Q.1. What is Koch’s postulate on bacteria? Ans: The bacteria must be present in every case of the disease. The bacteria must be isolated from the host with the disease and grown in pure culture. The specific disease must be reproduced when a pure culture of the bacteria is inoculated into a healthy susceptible host.

Q.2. What are the three important uses of bacteria? Ans: Bacteria are used in Biogas production, Cheese production, improving soil’s health and productivity, and sewage treatment.

Q.3. Which bacteria are responsible for the formation of curd from milk? Ans: Lactobacillus species bacteria are responsible for the formation of curd from milk.

Q.4. What is the major function of an Economic Importance of Bacteria? Ans: Some of the primary functions of the economic importance of Bacteria are Curing of Cheese, In Maintenance of Environmental Balance and Agriculture, Nitrogen fixation and soil fertility, In Medicine, Sewage treatment, Biogas production, etc.

Q.5. Which bacteria are responsible for causing Leprosy disease in human beings? Ans: Mycobacterium leprae bacteria are responsible for causing Leprosy disease in human beings.

Q.6. List a few harmful roles of bacteria. Ans: Spoilage of Foodstuffs, Reduction of Soil fertility Denitrification, Animal Diseases, Human Diseases, Plant Diseases, etc., are a few harmful roles of bacteria.

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Economic Importance of Bacteria | Microbiology

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In this article we will discuss about the beneficial and harmful activities of bacteria.

A. Beneficial Activities of Bacteria:

There are many kinds of bacteria without which we could not live. They are absolutely essential to the presence of life on earth. They make possible the continued existence of green plants and therefore of animals because the plants are the only source of food for animals.

Following is a brief account of the more important activities of the bacteria:

1. Role in Agriculture:

(i) Decay and decomposition:

Soil bacteria play an important role in brining about decomposition of organic matter. They serve a double purpose. In the first instance they act as scavengers removing harmful waste from the earth.

Secondly, they return it to the soil as plant food. The dead bodies and wastes of organisms (both plants and animals) are decomposed by the activities of the saprophytic bacteria.

In consequence a variety of elements of minerals of the earth such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, sulphur and phosphorus which make up their bodies are reduced to simple compounds such as carbon monoxide, water, nitrates, sulphates and phosphates.

Some of these go back to the soil and the rest to the air. From the soil they can be absorbed as plant food. This activity of the bacteria is used in sewage disposal system of cities. The bacterial action on the city’s sewage promotes decay.

As a result water is finally purified and changed into an odourless and valuable fertiliser instead of a dangerous and expensive waste product.

(ii) Soil fertility:

Some bacteria play an important role in maintaining and others in increasing soil fertility. The fertility of soil is proportional to its nitrogen content. Nitrogen is an essential ingredient of all living protoplasm. All growing plants, therefore, require it in their metabolism.

Atmosphere, no doubt, is four-fifths (80%) nitrogen, green plants generally are unable to use it. They mostly absorb it as nitrates and to some extent as ammonia from the soil.

Continuous absorption of these salts results in their exhaustion in the soil. Nearly all fertilisers for the soil include a large proportion of such soluble nitrogen compounds to promote plant growth.

In nature the presence of a regular supply of these salts is ensured by bacteria of certain types. These bacteria which function as Nature’s farmers belong to three categories, namely, ammonifying bacteria, nitrifying bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

They are the agents of maintaining a continual circulation of nitrogen in nature between the plant world, in soil and the atmosphere. The series of changes through which the nitrogen passes due to the activities of these organisms constitute the nitrogen cycle (Fig. 18.18).

Nitrosomonas oxidizes ammonium carbonate to nitrous acid liberating energy. The nitrous acid then combines with bases in the soil forming potassium nitrite. Nitrobacter oxidizes nitrites to nitrates again liberating energy.

Neither the ammonifying nor the nitrifying bacteria add to the total quantity of combined nitrogen in the soil. The ammonifying bacteria convert amino acids into ammonia. The process is called ammonification.

The nitrifying bacteria convert nitrogen from the unavailable form of ammonium salts to the available nitrates. This process converting unavailable ammonium salts into available nitrates is called nitrification.

A considerable amount of nitrogen is lost by denitrification and through drainage. The loss must be made good by equal gains if the soil fertility is to be maintained.

The electric discharges in the atmosphere bring about the formation of traces of nitrogen compounds which are washed to the soil by rain water. The largest additions, however, come from a biological fixation process through the activity of two types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Some of them live free in the soil and others in the root nodules of leguminous plants. They are able to make use of the atmospheric nitrogen and change it into nitrogenous compounds.

The nitrogen-fixing bacteria are thus unique in tapping a source of nitrogen not available to most other plants. This process of nitrogen transformation is called nitrogen fixation.

(i) Azotohacter heijerinckia (aerobic forms) and Clostridium (anaerobic) live free in the soil:

They take gaseous nitrogen from the air present between the soil particles. The nitrogen combines with other elements forming organic nitrogenous compounds. These compounds are assimilated by the bacteria.

In due course these bacteria die and their dead bodies containing nitrogenous compounds are decomposed by another type of bacteria called the bacteria of decomposition. During decomposition ammonia is produced.

The nitrifying bacteria convert this ammonia first into nitrites and finally into nitrates. Nitrates constitute the form of nitrogen needed by the green plants.

(ii) Rhizobium leguminosarum (syn. Bacillus radicicola) is another nitrogen-fixing bacterium:

It lives in the roots of such plants as Pea (Fig. 18.19A), Bean, Medicago and others. All these belong to the Pea family (Leguminoseae). Besides the legumes, the nodules are found on the roots of Alnus glutinosa, Casuarina, species of Coriaria and a few others.

The symbiont in non- leguminous plants is a member of Plasmodiophorales. The presence of bacteria in the roots causes the formation of little nodules (Fig. 18.19A). In Pavetta indica the bacterial nodules are formed on the leaves.

These nodules or the tubercles are the homes of millions of these bacteria. They have the ability to take up free nitrogen of the air and convert it into nitrogen compounds.

A part of the fixed nitrogen passes into the tissues of legume plant and a part diffuses into the surrounding soil. These bacteria enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with the host plant.

They give to the host the nitrogen compounds and receive in return carbohydrates manufactured by the host plant. This association is an excellent example of symbiosis. The legumes are very rich in nitrogen because of this association.

Some of our best protein plant foods come from the legume family of plants. The legume plants can flourish on land that has been depleted of its nitrogen by other plants. They are sometimes grown and ploughed under by the farmer when a foot or so in height.

The decaying bodies of these legume plants enrich the soil. They furnish a rich supply of nitrogen to the future crop. This is called green manuring. The soil on which repeated crops of cereals are grown becomes impoverished.

It can be enriched again by growing on it a crop of some plants of Pea family. This practice of alternating cereals with leguminous crop is known as rotation of crops. The leguminous plants contain more of nitrogen than they get from the soil salts.

The additional quantity is obtained from the air by Rhizobium. Neither Rhizobium nor the legume root alone can fix nitrogen.

Rhizobium lives in the soil where it has the form of coccus. The legume roots secrete substances which attract bacteria on to their surface. The bacteria, in turn, secrete a growth hormone which causes the root hairs to curl.

The cocci enter the curled root hairs. They grow in the root hair in the form of a continuous thread-like mass which finally reaches the root cortex. In this way many of the cortical cells become filled with a dense mass of these bacteroids.

Their presence in the cortical cell serves as a stimulus causing abnormal growth. The cortical cells around the infection divide and redivide and grow to form a nodule. A nodule comprises a central mass of cells full of bacteroids.

Around this zone of infection are a few cell layers thick of bacterial free cortical zone. At the apex of the nodule is the meristematic region and a vascular strand at its base (Fig. 18.19 B).

Within the host cells the cocci feed on the carbohydrates and other foods and undergo a change in their form (Fig. 18.19 C). They become V, T or Y shaped. The core of the nodule is red owing to the formation of red respiratory pigment haemoglobin.

2. Role of Bacteria in Industries:

Man has utilised the activities of bacteria for various industrial processes. The butter and cheese industries entirely depend upon the activities of the lactic acid bacteria.

The souring and curding of milk by lactic acid bacteria is another common example of application in everyday life. It takes place in two steps. In the first step the lactose sugar of milk is fermented into glucose by an enzyme lactose secreted by the lactic acid bacteria.

In the second step there is transformation of glucose into lactic acid. The latter sours the milk and coagulates the milk proteins (casein) forming curds and whey. Oxidation of alcohol into vinegar (acetic acid) is brought about by the acetic acid bacteria.

The curing of tea, tobacco and manufacture of indigo are other examples of useful chemical activities of bacteria which have been controlled for the benefit of mankind. The process of tanning hides in leather making and preparing sponges also involve the use of bacteria.

The production of linen is impossible without bacterial activity. The tough fibres, which are left behind, are separated. These fibres are spun and woven into linen cloth, ropes, etc.

The preparation of coffee and cocoa is also dependent upon bacterial action. The cocoa beans are white in colour and quite bitter in taste. The bacteria digest the bitter coverings of seeds and give the characteristic colour, flavour and aroma.

Many saprophytic bacteria in their metabolic activities excrete waste products of great commercial importance.

Some of these are:

(i) Lactic acid:

It is useful in tanning industries.

(ii) Citric acid:

It is used to give aroma and flavour to beverages, sweets and other foodstuffs.

(iii) Vitamins:

Vitamin B is the product of fermentation of sugars and starch by Clostridium acetobutilicum. The vitamins are used in medicinal preparations.

(iv) Butyl alcohol:

Butyl alcohol, acetone and ethyl alcohol are produced in one fermentation operation when a certain bacterium is allowed to act on cooked com starch. These products are important commercial solvents.

(v) Acetone:

It is an important ingredient of explosives and is also used in the manufacture of photographic films.

3. Role of Bacteria in Medicine:

1. Source of Antibiotics:

The milder antibiotics of bacterial origin are tyrothricin, subtilin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin. Bacillius subtilis is the source of subtilin. Bacitracin is obtained from a stain very much like B. subtilis.

The actionomycetes which are filamentous, bacteria-like organisms produce more powerful antibiotics such as streptomycin, aureomycin and terramycin.

2. Preparation of Serums and Vaccines:

These are substances which are used to develop immunity to various diseases in man. Serums are used in advance as a therapeutic measure. They are also used when a person actually suffers from a disease.

Diphtheria, lockjaw, pneumonia, etc. are the diseases in which the serums are effective. Vaccines are commonly used to make people immune to diseases like typhoid, small-pox, cholera, scarlet fever, etc.

In the preparation of serums, small doses of bacterial toxins (poisons) are injected into the blood of animals such as horses. To combat or neutralize the bacterial poisons, the body of the animal produces antibodies.

The blood of the animal is then withdrawn. Impurities such as blood corpuscles and other solid matter are removed from the blood. The clear blood liquid containing the antibodies is the serum. It is used as weapon to combat diseases caused by these bacteria.

To produce vaccines dead or weakened disease producing bacteria or their diluted poisons (antigens) are directly injected into a man to cause a disease in a mild form. As a reaction the host is stimulated to form antibodies.

The latter may remain for years in the body of the host imparting immunity against the same type of bacteria which may later enter his body.

This is an incomplete account of the beneficial activities of bacteria. Anyhow it indicated their extreme importance in everyday life. Because of these beneficial activities the bacteria are called the friends of mankind.

B. Harmful Activities of Bacteria:

1. food poisoning:.

Of course, all activities of bacteria are not beneficial. Some saprophytic bacteria cause decay of our food and make it unpalatable. The activities of certain bacteria produce powerful toxins such as ptomains in the food.

These toxins are powerful enough to cause food poisoning which results in serious illness and even death. Some species of Staphylococcus are the common offenders.

There is another dangerous food poisoning bacterium known as Clostridium botulinium. It causes botulism—a fatal form of food-poisoning.

2. Disease:

Many parasitic bacteria are the causative agents of bacterial diseases. They cause diseases of our economic plants, domesticated animals and man. T.J. Burrill in 1878 first gave the information that bacteria cause plant diseases.

There are more than 170 species of bacteria which cause plant diseases. Usually they are rod-like and non-spore forming. Many of them have flagella.

The bacteria gain entry into the host through wounds or natural openings such as stomata, lenticels, hydathodes or through the thin epidermis.

The bacterial diseases of plants belong to the following categories:

(i) Wilt diseases caused by blocking of the vessels of host plant by masses of bacteria. The common example of this category are the wilt diseases of potato, cucumber, water melon and eggplant.

(ii) Crown gall and Hairy root diseases. These are due to overgrowth or hyperplasia. The crown gall of beets and hairy root of apple are the examples.

(iii) Narcotic blights, leaf spots and rots caused by killing of parenchyma cells. Fire blight of apple, and pear and soft rot of carrot and turnip are the common examples. The following Table 3 gives a list of some important disease-causing bacteria, host plants and diseases.

3. Denitrification:

There are, sometimes, a group of bacteria in the soil which reverse the nitrifying process. They injure the soil by causing the loss of a part of its combined nitrogen.

This they do by breaking down nitrates into nitrites and nitrites into ammonia compounds or to free nitrogen.

NO 3 → NO 2 → NH 3 → N gas ↑

The free nitrogen passes into the atmosphere and is lost to the soil. The result is the lowering of soil fertility. This process is called denitrification. The bacteria which bring about denitrification are called the denitrifying bacteria.

They are most active in the soil containing excess of nitrogen compounds such as the heavily manured soils. Soils deficient in oxygen are also favourable for the activity of this type of bacteria.

Denitrification is checked if the soil is well aerated by ploughing or digging and well drained. It is uneconomic to use natural and artificial nitrate manures simultaneously.

The denitrifying bacteria found in the faeces contained in the manures tend to destroy the nitrates.

Bacteria: Meaning, Reproduction and Importance (With Diagram)
Nitrogen Cycle (With Diagram)

Microbiology , Organisms , Bacteria , Economic Importance of Bacteria

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Economic Importance of Bacteria

Animesh sahoo.

March 31, 2024

Bacteria exert both deleterious and benefical effects on human life. Beneficial species liberate fertilizer elements for growing crops, destroy sewage and other wastes, and produce valuable chemicals.

Some species are harmful for animals as well as humans.

Beneficial and harmful aspects of bacteria are briefly discussed below:

Table of Contents

Beneficial Activities

1. to increase soil fertility.

Both symbiotic bacteria (Rhizobium, Pseudomonas) forming nodules and asymbiotic bacteria (Clotridium, Azotobacter) living in the soil are capable of fixing inorganic nitrogen into organic form and helping to increase soil fertility.
Increase soil fertility by decomposing proteins of dead organic remains of plants and animals.
Clostridium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, etc. help in ammonification, and Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter help in nitrification.

2. Putrefaction and Decay

Putrefaction to the anaerobic decomposition of organic remains with the product of malodorous substances.
The most important role of bacteria is in the decomposition of organic matter.

3. Retting of Fibres

Bacteria help in the retting and separation of fibres of jute, hemp, flax, etc.
Genus Clostridium hydrolyzes the pectic substance that binds the fibres together.
These are used in the making of ropes and sacks.

4. Preparation of Dairy Products

The dairy industry uses bacteria in the manufacture of dairy products like curd, butter, ghee, cheese, etc.
E.g., Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, and Lactobacillus.

5. Lactic Acid Production

Lactobacilli (L. bulgaricus) are used in the manufacture of lactic acid.
The sugar present in the whey is converted into lactic acid by the enzyme lactase produced by the bacilli.

6. Vinegar Production

Vinegar, or acetic acid, is produced from alcohol by bacteria.
E.g., Acetobacter, Gluconobacter and Gluconacetobacter.

7. Alcohol and Acetone Production

Various bacteria, including Clostridium, Eubacterium, and Bacillus, are used in the production of acetone and alcohol.

8. Amino Acid Production

Many amino acids are produced on a commercial basis with bacterial fermentation.
Lysin is produced by E. coli and Enterobacter aerogenes. Glutamic acid is produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum.

9. Production of Fermented Foods

Important food items are produced by microbial fermentation.
Pickles are produced with the help of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus.

10. Protein Food

Bacteria produced in massive quantities are an attractive source of food.
These, when cultivated, yield a large cell crop that is rich in protein (single cell protein).
Dried cells of Pseudomonas that grow on petroleum products have 69% protein.

11. Production of Silage

Production of silage, a food of high nutritive value for cattle.
E.g., Streptococcus, Lactobacillus

12. Curing and Repering of Tobago and Tea

Bacillus megaterium is used for the curing process.
The ripening or fermentation takes place due to the action of Micrococcus condisans.

13. In Paper and Textile Industry

The enzyme amylase, excreted from Bacillus subtilis, is used in sizing paper and desizing textiles.

14. In Leather Industry

Bacillus subtilis is used in tanning leather.

15. In Sewage Disposal

Enterobacter, Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas, etc. are used in the various processes associated with sewage treatment and disposal.

16. Enzymes Production

Enzymes secreted by bacteria inhabiting the stomach and intestines of cattle, horses, etc. help digest the carbohydrate cellulose.
Enzyme amylase is produced by Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus.

17. Vitamin Production

Many vitamins are produced by bacteria.
Vitamin B – Streptomyces olivaceus, Vitamin K – Streptococcus haemolyticus, and Vitamin C – Gluconobacter suboxydans

18. Antibiotic Production

Antibiotics are produced by several species of bacteria.
Example: polymyxin, subtilin, bacteriocin, gramicidin, etc.
Antibiotics produced by higher bacteria are amphatercin, carbomycin, tetracycline, etc.

19. As Human Symbionts

The bacteria E. coli living in the intestine of human beings are symbionts and synthesis vitamin B.

20. Other Medicine

The substance dextran produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides is used as a blood plasma substitute.
The enzymes streptokinase and streptodornase, produced by Streptococcus haemolyticus, are used in dissolving blood clots.

21. Pigments Production

Pseudomonas sp. produces greenish to dark brown pigments.
Chromobacterium sp. produces a violet pigment.
Serratia sp. produces a red pigment.

Harmful Activities

1. reducing soil fertility.

The bacteria Thiobacillus, Serratia, Micrococcus, and Pseudomonas are capable of transforming nitrogen in the soil into nitrogen gas by denitrification.
This change leads to a net loss of nitrogen from the soil, i.e., a reduction in soil fertility.

2. Food Spoilage

Bacteria generally decompose food and render it unfit for human consumption.
E.g., Bread: Bacillus subtilis, Syrup: Enterobacter, Fruits and Vegetables: Micrococcus, Meat: Clostridium, Pseudomonas, Fish: Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Egg: Psudomonas, etc.
Staphylococcus occurs, from which exotoxin is liberated, which results in poisoning.
Botulism is a fatal food poisoning of humans and animals caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum.

3. Paper and Cotton Deterioration

Some bacillus are responsible for degrading the cellulose of paper and cotton.

4. Bacteria and Diseases

Pathogenic bacteria cause various diseases in humans, animals, and cultivated plants.

Disease of Humans:


1.	Pneumonia	Diplococcus pneumoniae
2.	Diptheria	Corynebacterium diptheriae
3.	Typhoid	Salmonella typhi
4.	Cholera	Vibrio cholerae
5.	Diarrhoea	Bacillus coli
6.	Dysentery	Shigella dysenteriae
7.	Tuberculosis	Mycobacterium tuberculosis
8.	Anthrax	Bacillus anthracis
9.	Plague	Pasteurella pestis
10.	Leprosy	Mycobacterium leprae
11.	Gonorrhoea	Neisseria gonorrhoeae
12.	Food Poisoning (Botulism)	Clostridium botulinum

Disease of Animals:

.
1.	Anthrax	Bacillus anthracis
2.	Leptospirosis	Leptospira
3.	Plague of Rodents	Yersinia pestis
4.	Q fever of Rats and Birds	Coxiella burnetii
5.	Diarrhoea of Monkeys	Shigella dysenteriae

Disease of Plants:


1.	Ring rot of Potato	Corynebacterium sepidonicum
2.	Citrus Canker	Xanthomonas citri
3.	Leaf blight of Rice	Xanthomonas oryzae
4.	Red rot of Sugar cane	Xanthomonas rubrilineans
5.	Wilt of Potato	Pseudomonas solanacearum
6.	Black rot of Cabbage	Xanthomonas campestris
7.	Soft rot of Mango	Bacterium cartocorus

Animesh Sahoo is a scientific blogger who is passionate about biology, nature, and living organisms. He enjoys sharing his knowledge through his writings. During his free time, Animesh likes to try new activities, go on adventures, experiment with different biological aspects, and learn about various organisms.

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Economic Importance of Bacteria

Bacteria are our 'friends and foes' as they have both useful and harmful activities.

(A) USEFUL ACTIVITIES

Role of bacteria in agriculture

Some free-living nitrogen fixing aerobic bacteria like Azotobacter and Clostridium have the capacity of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogenous substances, hence increase soil fertility. Similarly symbiotic bacteria Rhizobium also fixes atmospheric nitrogen. All nitrogen fixing bacteria have ‘nif’ genes (nitrogenase inducing factor). e.g., Nitrosomonas, Nitrosococcus, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina. Nitrospira and Nitrococcus . Nitrosomonas converts ammonia into nitrites, which is further converted into nitrates by Nitrobacter (nitrification).

Role of bacteria in dairy industry

Lactic acid is commercially produced by using Lactic acid bacteria. The bacteria convert lactose of milk into lactic acid and hence milk turns sour. Lactic acid bacteria unite casein protein of milk in the form of small droplets and thus form curd and hence butter.

Role of bacteria in other industries

Many antibiotics are produced from bacteria. The first antibiotic produced was penicillin (wonder drug) obtained from fungus Penicillium notatum by Sir Alexander Fleming (1923), which checks growth of gram-positive bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis or by blocking peptidoglycan synthesis.

Interferons are protein molecules or polypeptides of low molecular weight which prevent viral multiplication.

Role of bacteria in petroleum pollution

Petroleum pollution in water bodies is checked upto some extent by Pseudomonas.

Genetically engineered strain of Pseudomonas putida ( Superbug) was developed by Dr. Ananda Mohan Chakraborty which biodegrade spilled oil. These superbugs were allowed by USA government in 1990 for removal of oil from water.

(B) HARMFUL ACTIVITIES

Food-poisoning (Botulism): It is caused by Clostridium botulinum . The main symptoms are vomiting followed by paralysis and death.

Reduction of soil fertility: There are some denitrifying bacteria in soil, which convert nitrates into free nitrogen (denitrification), e.g, Bacillus denitrificans, Micrococcus denitrificans and Thiobacillus denitrificans.

Many pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio cholera, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dyseinteriae cause Cholera, typhoid and dysentery respectively.

The crown gall diseases in plants is caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens ( Rhizobium radiobacter , synonym Agrobacterium radiobacter ) and the hairy root root diseases is caused by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

The common sulphur oxidizing bacteria are Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Beggiatoa . Cotton spoilage is due to Spirochaete cytophage .

Most of the pathogenic bacteria are gram negative, rod-shaped ( Bacillus ) and non-spore forming. However, bacteria causing anthrax and tetanus are endospore forming or spore forming.

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Bacteria are economically very important to people as they are employed in variety of reasons. For example, bacteria are used in the making delicacies like cheese, fudge, vinegar and yogurt. These are just a few things, that use bacteria. Apart from this, bacteria are also important in the agricultural field as they help form different fertilizers and compost in genetic engineering and modification bacteria are extensively used.

Students must understand these principles since they are exposed to microorganisms regularly and must be aware of which bacteria are beneficial and harmful.

Read on to explore the Bacteria's Economic Importance and Roles.

Bacteria are unicellular creatures with cell walls but no organelles or a well-organized nucleus, including those that may cause illness. Bacteria (singular bacterium) are members of the prokaryotic kingdom Monera, which is the sole one. They are prokaryotic bacteria that make up a broad domain. They might be saprophytes, meaning they feed on dead and decaying substances, or parasites, meaning they live on or within other creatures' bodies. Some of them also feed in an autotrophic manner. Chlorophyll is present in several forms, such as Nostoc.

Bacteria have a significant role in the economy since they are employed in various activities, as detailed below. Examples of the Economic Importance of Bacteria may assist you in comprehending the relevance of bacteria.

Sourdough bread is prepared by fermenting a bacteria-based leaven, commonly coupled with wild yeast enzymes.

In the biotechnology field also, bacteria play a very important role. Different service sectors have used bacteria for the manufacture of chemicals like organic acids, ethanol, enzymes, acetone, and different kind of fragrances. Bacteria are extensively used to manufacture different nutritional supplements and many medications. For example, E Coli is used in the production of vitamin K and riboflavin. Moreover, E.coli is also used to make products like D amino acids, which proves to be a key precursor in amoxicillin production, an antibiotic.

In the retting process, bacteria like Clostridium butyricum are employed to separate the fibers of jute, hemp, and flax. Ropes, bags, and other items are made from these separated fibers. The plants are submerged in water and injected with bacteria that hydrolyze pectic compounds in cell walls and separate the fibers when they expand. Alternatively, since dew supplies moisture, the plants may be spread out on the ground and ret organically.

In biological pest management, bacteria may potentially be employed instead of insecticides. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a Gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacteria, is often used. Under the trade names Dipel and Thuricide, this bacterium is employed as a Lepidopteran-specific pesticide.

Different bacteria involving the class of Ruminococcus species are found in the guts of cattle, horses, and other herbivores and they help these animals by digesting cellulose through the production of the enzyme cellulase. Through this process, the animal benefits by getting the energy from the green grass they eat. And bacteria get the place to live. Apart from this, E. coli, a bacterium, also helps humans form microbiota in the stomach and transforming food into vitamin K2. This is absorbed in the colon and is enough to satisfy the vitamin's daily need in animal models.

Bacteria aids in the purification of animal skins, making them easier, cleaner, and more suitable for use.

Even in the medical field, bacteria are extensively used for the production of antibiotics some of examples of antibiotics include streptomycin, amoxicillin, etc. apart from that, bacteria are also helpful in the production of vaccines against a variety of diseases.

Several bacteria genera are utilized in food preparation, either directly or indirectly.

Bacterial activity transforms milk into curd. Lactose in milk is transformed into lactic acid, which gives the curd its distinctive sour flavor. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Lactobacillus, are added to milk as a preservative. Milk is inoculated with Lactobacillus acidophilus to make Indian curd. It's made by curdling milk with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Cheese is made by coagulating milk with lactic acid bacteria and then filtering the curd to remove the whey. The solid mass is then ripened by the development of mold, which gives it a distinct flavor. Cheese is made by Propionibacteriumshermanii.

In industry, bacterial activity produces a vast number of goods, which is directly proportionate to the economic value of bacteria.

Several antibiotics are made from microorganisms that have been utilized in medicine. Different bacterial species produce antibiotics such as Terramycin, Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Aureomycin, and Neomycin. Several vaccines have been made using microbes that have been killed or attenuated (live but reproduce slowly). For example, microorganisms make TB vaccines, whooping cough vaccines, plague vaccines, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) vaccines, and pneumonia vaccines.
Bacteria operate as decomposers in the maintenance of environmental balance and agriculture. Plants may use the nutrient because they make it accessible to them. In agriculture, certain bacteria genera are utilized as biocontrol agents. Bacteria are also employed in the elimination of toxic insects that kill the plant, and one the example is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) A separate class of bacteria helps fix atmospheric nitrogen into organic nitrogen, which the plant uses.In the soil, the bacteria Azotobacter and Clostridium aid in nitrogen fixation.
One of the major classes of bacteria involves rhizobium species, which helps fix nitrogen in the leguminous plants by forming root noodles. They increase the soil's nitrogen content in the plant by doing this. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is the name for this process.

A major player in the nitrogen cycle is nitrifying bacteria which carries out nitrification, and it is one of the most important steps in the cycle. The bacteria belonging to this class are chemolithotrophic, and they are called Example are nitrosomonas, nitrobacter, nitrococcus, nitrobacillus. The oxidation of inorganic nitrogen molecules provides energy to these microorganisms.
Biogas is an important organic product that is used in industrial as well as residential use in the form of fuel biogas is composed of 50 to 60% methane, 3-4% carbon dioxide, 3% sulfur compounds, and other elements in trace amount like Hydrogen, nitrogen, etc. Sewage is a pollutant made of agricultural and home waste materials. The removal of such trash requires a combination of chemical and biological treatment.

Curd is made from milk by combining Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), such as Lactobacillus, with warm milk. The milk sugar (lactose) is converted to lactic acid by these bacteria, resulting in curd creation.

Bacteria destroy cooked food, fruits, vegetables, butter, fish, and meat, especially during the summer months, by creating putrefaction of the food ingredients.

When bacterium-contaminated food is ingested, microorganisms such as Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium botulinum produce a severe form of food poisoning. Food poisoning, often known as botulism, is caused by Clostridium botulinum.

Denitrification: usually, wet soil has a high content of organic matter inhabited by anaerobic bacteria.By decreasing the soil's nitrogen content, these bacteria impair soil fertility. The bacteria help in the decomposition of the nitrates in the soil, thereby releasing free nitrogen, which is then escaped into the atmosphere, and by this, soil fertility is lowered. This process is called denitrification.

Bacteria cause TB in cattle, anthrax in sheep, cholera in chickens, and pneumonia in horses, sheep, and goats, among other animal diseases.

Bacteria cause various dangerous diseases like Typhoid, cholera, Pneumonia etc

Bacteria cause a variety of plant diseases. Leaf spots, soft rots, vascular illnesses, and bacterial galls are all caused. Citrus canker is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonascitri.

A bioweapon, also known as a biological weapon, is a device that transports and delivers a disease-causing biological agent (such as bacteria, viruses, or genetically modified organisms) or a toxin generated from it to a target organism. A bioweapon agent is a biological agent or poison used as a weapon. Humans, crops, and animals are all targets for biological agents. BioWare, or biological warfare, is the name for the employment of bioweapons in this manner. Anthrax, smallpox, plague, and gastroenteritis are possible side effects of several bioweapons. Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, gastroenteritis is caused by Vibrio cholera, and plague is caused by Yersinia pestis. Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum toxin, which is used to induce lethal food poisoning. Some of these agents have been used before. In 2001, for example, the anthrax bacteria were delivered through letters. Bioweapons are inexpensive weapons that kill considerably more people than conventional weapons.

In this post, we learned that bacteria belong to the Monera kingdom. They are the most diversified creatures, with a broad range of dispersion, feeding, reproduction, and other characteristics. In terms of nutrition, they are probiotic, parasitic, and autotrophic. Some are beneficial to humans, whereas the majority are pathogenic, causing damage to animals and plants. Through various examples, we also looked at the economic relevance of microbial processes.

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January 2021
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Bacteria in industry

Often, the first thing that comes to mind when we think about microbes in the built environment are damage, decay, discolouration and staining to building materials and their surfaces. What we don’t consider is their ability to act as bioengineers. Apart from the production of important compounds, bacteria are also useful in the breakdown of environmental contaminants such as pesticides, petroleum additives and plasticisers. The successful use of bacteria on an industrial scale has prompted expansion into more diverse areas. A recent addition to the résumé of these tiny organisms is the utilisation of biomineralizing bacteria in self-healing construction materials.

It is becoming the norm to exploit bacteria in industrial processes for their ability to act as ‘cell factories’ that can produce important speciality products such as detergents, plastics, fuels and essential oils.

How can bacteria impact industry?

Bacteria can have a huge impact on industry and national and financial interests. The usefulness of microbial biomineralization in construction materials has been established in principle in the laboratory and in several field trials. However, several challenges still have to be overcome. For example, methods for optimising the survival of the bacteria within concrete are currently being developed.

In geotechnical applications, bacteria are now being used as part of the engineering toolbox for the consolidation and stabilisation of soils to counteract erosion, enhance bearing capacity, and enable excavation and tunnelling. This is due to the intrinsic ability of a wide range of bacteria to promote the precipitation of mineral carbonate, such as calcium carbonate, as a by-product of their metabolism.

Read more about how and why the use of bacteria in industry matters to our members and the wider microbiology community, access our additional resources and find out a bit more about the next field of microbiology that matters to our community, as we explore 'Vaccines: the global challenge for microbiology.'

Microbiologists working in this area

To celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2020, we invited microbiologists to nominate the discovery or event that best showcases why microbiology matters and helps us demonstrate the impact of microbiologists past, present and future. Learn more about microbiologists working to understand bacteria in industry.

Resources and further reading

Discover how and why bacteria are being exploited in industrial processes, the biotechnological applications scientists are using to make use of bacteria and how research has led some microbiologists to use antimicrobial stewardship ward rounds in hospitals to improve patient care.

Vaccines: the global challenge for microbiology

Vaccines are made from microbes that are dead or inactive so that they are unable to cause disease. Not only do vaccines protect individuals, they can also provide herd immunity. We will explore four key areas of vaccination, including how vaccines work, are produced, more about herd immunity and eradicating disease.

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