Microbiology in Everyday Life

How microorganisms effect food

 Useful effects:
 Used for fermentation
 Rotting grapes and making them into wines
 They can be used to increase the fertility of
the soil and increase crop yields
 Harmful effects:
 Bacteria, molds and yeasts can cause food
spoilage.
 Can cause intoxication of food
 Effects of microorganisms on air
 Useful effects:
 Nitrogen fixation in some bacteria which
removes nitrogen from atmosphere into
ammonia for use of plants.
 The metabolic process of respiration breaks
down the organic molecules into CO2 which is
returned into atmosphere.
 Harmful effects:
 Can cause respiratory disorders.
Effects of microorganisms on water
 Useful effects:
 Naturally occurring bacteria degrade
hazardous substances in water.
 Microalgae mainly photosynthesize to absorb
CO2 to supply oxygen in aquatic animals.
 Harmful effects:
 Reduce the amount of oxygen in water.
 Pathogens may enter human through water.
Safety measures to control Water Born
Diseases
Safety measures to control Food Born
Diseases
 Difference
Food poisoning
• Food Poisoning is caused by
the intake of chemical or
biological toxins or toxins
produced by pathogens.
• Toxin is produced by
microorganism into food
before eating food.
• Major symptoms include:
nausea vomiting .
• Eg : S.aureus , C.botulinum.
Food infection
• Infection is caused by the
intake of food containing
viable pathogens that can
latter cause the infection.
• Toxin produce in intestine
by pathogens.
• Major symptoms include:
Stomach ache and diarrhea
• Eg: E.coli , salmonella
campylobacter.