How is bacteria economically important

These bacteria get their energy by the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen compounds. The denitrifying bacteria, like Pseudomonas denitrificans , Thiobacillus denitrificans, transform the nitrates to free atmospheric nitrogen. 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. 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.

Methanogenesis is the last step, in which anaerobic Methanogenic bacteria like Methanobacterium , Methanococcus , etc. Sewage Treatment: Sewage is agricultural and domestic waste products that can pollute the water.

The treatment to remove such waste is partially chemical, biological treatment. Secondary treatment is the biological treatment, which reduces the BOD significantly. Aerobic bacteria are used in this process. Tertiary treatment is done once there is a reduction of BOD in the settling tank.

Mainly Methanogens grow anaerobically and produce biogas. 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. 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.

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. Reduction of Soil Fertility — Denitrification: Certain species of anaerobic bacteria inhabit soils that are either waterlogged or have high organic matter content.

They break down nitrates present in the soil and release free nitrogen, which escapes into the air, thereby reducing soil fertility denitrification. Animal Diseases: Bacteria cause tuberculosis in cattle, anthrax in sheep, cholera of chicken and pneumonia in horses, sheep and goats. Human Diseases: Many serious diseases are caused by bacteria in human beings. Some of these are as follows:. 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. 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. In this article, we studied that bacteria are the members of the kingdom Monera. Bacteria play important roles in different fields such as agriculture, industry etc. Some of them are mentioned below:.

They decompose these substances by action of digestive enzymes aerobically or anaerobically known as fermentation. Thus they help in sanitation of nature, so also known as scavengers. Similarly, Nitrosomanas and Nitrococcus convert ammonium salt to nitrites. Nitrites are further changed to nitrates by Nitrobacter and Nitrocystis. It enables plants to uptake nitrogen. Thus, in this process, they help to convert farm refuse, dung and other wastes to manure.

Fermentation activity of bacteria produces lactic acid that acts as preservative in ensilage. Then, milk is converted into curd, yoghurt, cheese etc needed for the industry. Pseudomonas etc. Similarly, Bacillus is used for production of antibiotics such as Bacitracin, Gramicidin etc. Harmful effects of Bacteria:. Though bacteria plays important role in agriculture, industries and natural sanitation etc, it has the following harmful effects:.

This hampers plants very much. Have a Question Ask us in our Discussion Forum. Cellulose in the major source of energy for these animals. Escherichia coli living in human colon synthesize vitamin B and release it for human use. Similarly, Clostridium butyclicum is used for commercial preparation of riboflavin, a vitamin B. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are used to decompose sewage wastes.

They break down organic matter to harmless, soluble sludge in settling tanks. The methane gas produced is used as energy source. Similarly toxic chemicals synthesized by living organisms and those present in the pesticides are disposed with the help of bacteria. Pseudomonas putida has been created by using genetic engineering techniques and can break down xylene and camphor.

The ability of bacteria to degrade a variety of organic compounds is remarkable and has been used in waste processing, and bioremediation. Bacteria capable of digesting the hydrocarbons in petroleum are often used to clean up oil spills. These efforts were effective on beaches that were not too thickly covered in oil. Bacteria are also used for the bioremediation of industrial toxic wastes. Bacteria can also be used in the place of pesticides in the biological pest control. This commonly uses Bacillus thuringiensis also called BT , a Gram-positive, soil dwelling bacterium.

This bacteria is used as a Lepidopteran -specific insecticide under trade names such as Dipel and Thuricide. Because of their specificity, these pesticides are regarded as Environmentally friendly , with little or no effect on humans , wildlife , pollinators , and most other beneficial insects.