Question

Give scientific reasons.
a. Use of mutant strains has been increased in industrial microbiology.
b. Enzymes obtained by microbial process are mixed with detergents.
c. Microbial enzymes are used instead of chemical catalysts in chemical industry.

Answer 1

a. Mutant varieties of microorganisms are different from the original microorganism. Mutant varieties are created by insertion of genes of interest in a particular organism through a technique called genetic engineering. Mutant microorganisms have characteristics which are not present in the original strain and thus make them useful for various purposes.

b. Enzymes obtained by microbial process are mixed with detergents because it makes the cleaning process efficient. Addition of enzymes to detergents makes them efficient in removing dirt with an added advantage of being able to work at lower temperatures.

c. Microbial catalysts are also known as biocatalysts. Microbial catalysts are preferred over chemical catalysts for various reasons like:

• Lesser byproducts are formed in case of microbial enzymes which means the cost of purification is minimised.
• Microbial enzymes can function at low temperatures, pH and pressure, thus saving the energy.
• Enzymes which are used in these processes can be reused as they do not decompose during these processes.
• Use of enzymes also reduces the amount of environmental pollution.