Question

Mention a few examples to use of microbes in household products

Answer 1

Examples to use of microbes in household products:

1] Curd: It is prepared from milk by using Lactic acid bacteria. They grow in milk and convert it into curd. They produce lactic acid which causes coagulation of the proteins present in the milk. They also enhance the nutritional value of curd.

2] Dough for making foods: The dough which is used in the preparation of Idlis and Dosa are fermented by the bacteria. The bacteria Leuconostoc mesenteroides causes fermentation and increases its volume due to the release of carbon dioxide during the fermentation process.

3] Bread: In breadmaking, the dough used is also fermented by the Baker's yeast named as Saccharomyces cerevisae.

4] Cheese: Cheese is the oldest food item which is prepared by employing microbes. The taste, texture and flavour of chhese depends upon the type of microorganism used in the preparation.

Eg. Roquefort cheese is ripened by Penicillium roqueforti fungus which gives a specific flavour.

5] Toddy: It is a drink made by fermenting sap from coconut palms. It is a tradional refreshing drink in some parts of South India.