Title: Nature’s own micro-factories: Microorganisms
Abstract:
Nature has blessed humans in numerous ways and the tiniest one is ‘microorganisms’ which instead of being so small in size, have served in a huge manner to all. They are well-documented for production of various primary and secondary metabolites which hold outstanding industrial significance. Recent advances in biotechnology tools have bestowed the analysis of their substantial roles in their niche/host organism, detection of essential biomolecules produced by them and enabled enhancement of the production of these metabolites by multiple times, in optimized conditions. Biotechnology tools and techniques have been employed to procure essential biomolecules from symbiotic as well as pathogenic microorganisms. The most important requisite is detection of the microbe’s capability to produce the compounds of interest, and manipulation of the production conditions for increased production rate. Hence, I am presenting some of my research work related to increased production of ‘xanthan gum’ by the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris, and production of ‘folic acid’ by rhizospheric microbiota of the plant Hippophae rhamnoides L. The phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris causes black rot in crucifers, but also produces xanthan gum, which has a wide range of applications in various industries, including medicines, cosmetics and food. Hence the bacterium is popularly employed for large scale production of xanthan gum, but as the bacterium grows it produces this exopolysaccharide which increases density of the medium, hindering the growth of this strictly aerobic bacterium. So, we manipulated the production medium and procured 15 times more xanthan gum, at laboratory scale. In another case, rhizospheric microbiome of wonder-plant Hippophae rhamnoides which is popularly known for production of medicinally important compounds, was employed to procure intra- and extra-cellular folic acid. Folic-acid helps in preventing birth defects in brain and is therefore recommended for every pregnant woman, world-wide. Hence, we conclude that whether it is microorganisms which live in a symbiotic relationship with plants, or those which are pathogenic for plants, they can be successfully utilized to avail beneficial metabolites of great medicinal and industrial values.
Audience Take Away Notes :
- Industrial significance of microorganisms.
- Utilization of biotechnology for production of significant microbial compounds.
- Manipulations of growth conditions to enhance the production of microbial metabolites.
- Detection and analysis of microbial metabolites.
- Significance of microorganisms to nature and humans.
