Question

Given below is a list of six micro-organisms. State their usefulness to humans

(a) Nucleopolyhedro virus (b) Saccharomyces cerevisilae

(c) Monascus purpureus (d) Trichoderma polysporum

(e) Penicillin (f) Propioni bacterium sharmanil

Answer 1

• Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a species of yeast. It has been instrumental to winemaking, baking, and brewing.
  

• Penicillin is a group of antibiotics which include penicillin G, penicillin V, procaine penicillin, and benzathine penicillin. Penicillin antibiotics were among the first medications to be effective against many bacterial infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci.
  

• The Nuclear polyhedrosis virus, part of the family of baculoviruses, is a virus affecting insects, predominantly moths and butterflies. It has been used as a pesticide.
  

• Monascus purpureus is a species of mold that is purplish-red in color. This fungus is most important because of its use, in the form of red yeast rice, in the production of certain fermented foods in China.
  

• Trichoderma is a genus of fungi in the family Hypocreaceae, that is present in all soils, where they are the most prevalent culturable fungi. Many species in this genus can be characterized as opportunistic avirulent plant symbionts. Several strains of Trichoderma have been developed as biocontrol agents against fungal diseases of plants.
  

• Propioni bacterium shermanii is responsible for the ripening of Swiss cheese and the production of its characteristic taste and large gas bubbles