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Microbes in Human Welfare - Microbes in Industrial Products

Grade 12CBSEBiology

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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Fermented Beverages: Microbes like Saccharomyces cerevisiaeSaccharomyces\ cerevisiae (Brewer's yeast) are used for fermenting malted cereals and fruit juices to produce ethanol (C2H5OHC_2H_5OH). Depending on the type of raw material and processing (distillation or without distillation), different types of alcoholic drinks are obtained.

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Antibiotics: These are chemical substances produced by some microbes that can kill or retard the growth of other (disease-causing) microbes. Penicillin was the first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming from the mold Penicillium notatumPenicillium\ notatum.

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Organic Acids: Microbes are used for the commercial and industrial production of organic acids. Examples include Citric acid from Aspergillus nigerAspergillus\ niger (a fungus), Acetic acid from Acetobacter acetiAcetobacter\ aceti (a bacterium), Butyric acid from Clostridium butylicumClostridium\ butylicum (a bacterium), and Lactic acid from LactobacillusLactobacillus (a bacterium).

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Enzymes: Lipases are used in detergent formulations to remove oily stains. Pectinases and Proteases are used to clear bottled fruit juices. Streptokinase, produced by StreptococcusStreptococcus and modified by genetic engineering, is used as a 'clot buster' for removing clots from blood vessels of patients who have undergone myocardial infarction.

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Bioactive Molecules: Cyclosporin A is used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ-transplant patients; it is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporumTrichoderma\ polysporum. Statins, produced by the yeast Monascus purpureusMonascus\ purpureus, are used as blood-cholesterol lowering agents by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis.

📐Formulae

C6H12O6→Yeast2C2H5OH+2CO2+EnergyC_6H_{12}O_6 \xrightarrow{Yeast} 2C_2H_5OH + 2CO_2 + Energy

Statin+HMG-CoA Reductase→Inhibition of Cholesterol Synthesis\text{Statin} + \text{HMG-CoA Reductase} \rightarrow \text{Inhibition of Cholesterol Synthesis}

Lipids→LipaseGlycerol+Fatty Acids\text{Lipids} \xrightarrow{Lipase} \text{Glycerol} + \text{Fatty Acids}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Name the bioactive molecule used as an immunosuppressive agent and its microbial source.

Solution:

Cyclosporin A; produced by Trichoderma polysporumTrichoderma\ polysporum.

Explanation:

Cyclosporin A is a bioactive molecule that suppresses the immune response to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. It is commercially produced using the fungus Trichoderma polysporumTrichoderma\ polysporum.

Problem 2:

How do statins help in lowering blood cholesterol levels?

Solution:

By competitive inhibition of the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis.

Explanation:

Statins, derived from Monascus purpureusMonascus\ purpureus, act as competitive inhibitors. They bind to the active site of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is essential for the synthesis of cholesterol in the body.

Problem 3:

Identify the 'clot buster' enzyme and its source.

Solution:

Streptokinase; produced by the bacterium StreptococcusStreptococcus.

Explanation:

Streptokinase is used medically to dissolve blood clots (thrombolysis) in patients suffering from myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Microbes in Industrial Products - Revision Notes & Key Diagrams | CBSE Class 12 Biology