Microbes in Human Welfare — Important Questions

Production of antibiotics, Food fermentation, Sewage treatment, Biogas production

Microbes have multiple beneficial applications including antibiotic production, food fermentation, sewage treatment, and biogas production. Not all microbes cause diseases - many are helpful.

Methane

Biogas predominantly contains methane (CH4) produced by methanogens like Methanobacterium. It also contains CO2 and H2S but methane is the major component that makes it inflammable.

Methanobacterium, Methanogens, Anaerobic bacteria

Biogas is produced by methanogens (methane-producing bacteria) like Methanobacterium. These are anaerobic bacteria that break down cellulosic material without oxygen.

Insect larvae

Bt cotton contains genes from Bacillus thuringiensis that produce toxins specifically against insect larvae, particularly caterpillars. The toxin kills larvae in their gut but is harmless to other organisms.