How bacteria are useful

When we think about bacteria we usually associate it as a negative thing which is harmful to our health and in that sense it is negative. Bacteria aren't always a bad thing though and when used in the right circumstances it can be extremely helpful. These instances are usually industrial and in certain industries bacteria are vitally important for different processes to work and for companies to be successful.

The use of bacteria in industries is known as biotechnology or industrial microbiology. The uses for bacteria are also extremely varied including the production of some foods. A certain type of bacteria is commonly used alongside other ingredients to prepare fermented foods such as cheese, pickles and yogurt. Bacteria are also used in the production of a lot of alcoholic drinks too.

One of the most common uses of bacteria in industries is to create a number of chemicals. The chemicals created using bacteria span from fragrances which people wear such as perfumes and aftershaves to fuels such as ethanol. Ethanol is one of the most highly produced chemicals where bacteria are used and this is because it has so many important purposes. Ethanol produced with the help of bacteria is used to create flavourings and varnishes but more importantly disinfectants and many medicines vital to health care.

Bacteria are important in producing many health products and insulin is one other. Before bacteria were used it was both difficult and took a long time to create insulin. Now though not only is it faster, easier and cheaper but much higher quantities are also produced. The bacteria are manipulated and then the bacteria are filtered away in a process called harvesting which leaves only useful insulin.

A much more recent but equally important industrial use for bacteria is the use in microbial enhanced oil recovery. The process involves the manipulation of residual oil using bacteria to transform it into a state in which it can be extracted like any other oil. Previously the oil would be inaccessible but with the use of bacteria it can be reached.


Speak to an expert about using oil digesting bacteria to maximise efficiency.