This document discusses microbes and their importance to human welfare. It defines microbes as living organisms too small to see with the naked eye that are visible under a microscope. It notes that Anton van Leeuwenhoek discovered microbes in 1675 using one of the first microscopes. The document provides examples of how microbes are used to produce important household products like bread, cheese and beer, as well as industrial products like ethanol and antibiotics. It also discusses how microbes are used to produce bioactive molecules and how some microbes aid soil fertilization.

1. MICROBES IN
HUMAN WELFARE
By:
Shari K S

2. DEFINITION
Living organism (such as bacteria,
fungi, viruses) too small to be
seen with naked eye but visible
under a microscope.

3. DERIVATION OF MICROBES
Greek words:
Micros Small
+
Organismos Organism

4. FATHER OF MICROBIOLOGY
 Anton van
leeuwenhoek
 Discovered
microbes in 1675
 Devised first
microscope

5. Micro organisms
 Bacteria
 Fungi
 Virus
 Microscopic plants (Green
algae)
 Microscopic animals (Rotifers &
Planarians)

6. Microbes in household
products
 Lactobacillus
 Production of
curd from milk

7. Microbes in household
products
 Saccharomyces
cerevisiae
 Used for making
bread

8. Microbes in household
products
 Propionibacterium
 Production of
swiss cheese.

9. Microbes in industrial
products
 Yeast
 Production of
beverages like
wine, beer, whisky,
brandy & rum

10. Microbes in industrial
products
 Brewer’s yeast
 Used for production of
ethanol by fermenting
malted cereals & fruit
juices

11. Antibiotics
 Penicillium notatum
 Inhibits growth of
Staphaylo cocci

12. BIOACTIVE MOLECULES
 Streptococcus
 Production of
Streptokinase

13. BIOACTIVE MOLECULES
 Trichoderma
polysporm
 Production of
Cyclosporin

14. BIOACTIVE MOLECULES
 Monascus purpureus
 Production of
statins

15. biofertilisers
 Rhizobium
 Fixes atmospheric
nitrogen into
organic forms.

16. biofertilisers
 Mycorrhiza
 Absorbs
phosphorus from
soil & passes it to
plants.

17. biofertilisers
 Cyanobacteria
 Fix atmospheric
nitrogen