(N/A) Microbes are extensively used for the commercial and industrial production of various chemicals,enzymes,and bioactive molecules.
$1$. Production of Organic Acids: Microbes are used to produce specific organic acids. Examples include:
- $Aspergillus$ $niger$ (a fungus) for citric acid.
- $Acetobacter$ $aceti$ (a bacterium) for acetic acid.
- $Clostridium$ $butylicum$ (a bacterium) for butyric acid.
- $Lactobacillus$ (a bacterium) for lactic acid.
$2$. Production of Alcohols: Yeast ($Saccharomyces$ $cerevisiae$) is used for the commercial production of ethanol.
$3$. Production of Enzymes:
- Lipases are used in detergent formulations to remove oily stains from laundry.
- Pectinases and proteases are used to clarify bottled fruit juices.
$4$. Bioactive Molecules:
- Streptokinase: Produced by the bacterium $Streptococcus$ and modified by genetic engineering,it acts as a 'clot buster' to remove clots from blood vessels in patients who have suffered myocardial infarction.
- Cyclosporine $A$: An immunosuppressive agent used in organ transplant patients,produced by the fungus $Trichoderma$ $polysporum$.
- Statins: Produced by the yeast $Monascus$ $purpureus$,these are used as blood cholesterol-lowering agents.