What are the importance of microorganisms in ecosystem & its economic importance in food & do microorganisms play an important role in food chain?
The most significant effect of the microbes on earth is their ability to recycle the primary elements that make up all living systems, especially carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. Primary production involves photosynthetic organisms which take up CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it to organic material. With means of food engineering, new food and high-quality biological products can be prepared using microorganisms. Also, in industries, microorganisms are used to preserve food and its quality. In industrial food production, microorganisms play a critical role in the manufacturing of a variety of food substances. Bacteria and other microorganisms play an essential role in food chains and webs as Decomposers, acting at the end of the food chain. Bacteria and other microorganisms break down energy-rich organic molecules. These chemicals are found in dead plant debris such as leaves and animal excrement, and human remains. Microorganisms are of great significance to foods for the reasons: microorganisms can cause spoilage of foods, microorganisms are used to manufacture a wide variety of food products, and microbial diseases can be transmitted by foods.
Microorganisms have several vital roles in ecosystems: decomposition, oxygen production, evolution, and symbiotic relationships. Decomposition is where dead animal or plant matter is broken down into more basic molecules. This process only happens because of the microorganisms that find their way into the dead matter. Bacteria and other microorganisms play an essential role in food chains and webs as Decomposers, acting at the end of the food chain. Bacteria and other microorganisms break down energy-rich organic molecules. These chemicals are found in dead plant debris such as leaves and animal excrement, and human remains. Microbes are used to synthesize a number of products valuable to human beings in industries also e.g., beverages and antibiotic. Bacteria and other microbes play an important role in food chains and food webs as they are decomposers which act in the last stage of food chain. These micro-organisms like bacteria cause the breakdown of energy rich organic compounds. Within food plant cropping systems, microorganisms provide vital functions and ecosystem services, such as biological pest and disease control, promotion of plant growth and crop quality, and biodegradation of organic matter and pollutants. Control of microorganisms is essential in order to prevent the transmission of diseases and infection, stop decomposition and spoilage, and prevent unwanted microbial contamination. Microorganisms are controlled by means of physical agents and chemical agents. Some of the commonly promoted and used beneficial microorganisms in agriculture worldwide include Rhizobia, Mycorrhizae, Azospirillum, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, Streptomyces species and many more. Bacteria are the most important microorganisms to the food processor. Most are harmless, many are highly beneficial, some indicate the probable presence of filth, disease organisms, spoilage and a few cause disease.
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