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Sanjai Saxena Applied Microbiology Applied Microbiology Sanjai Saxena Applied Microbiology Sanjai Saxena Department of Biotechnology Thapar University Patiala , Punjab , India ISBN 978-81-322-2258-3 ISBN 978-81-322-2259-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-2259-0 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015931517 Springer New Delhi Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London © Springer India 2015 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. T he publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper Springer (India) Pvt. Ltd. is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com) Pref ace Microorganisms appeared on the face of the earth around 3.5 billion years ago and evolved in due course of time in two clearly distinguishable forms – prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Eukaryotic microorganisms possess membrane bound cell organelles and comprise of fungi and protists, while prokaryotes lack membrane bound cell organelles and include eubacteria and the archae- bacteria. Initially prokaryotic microorganisms dominated the earth, but dur- ing the course of their evolution they transformed the earth’s anaerobic environment into aerobic and simultaneously generated massive amounts of organic compounds. Thus these evolved forms of prokaryotes created an environment suited for the evolution and maintenance of more complex life forms. M icroorganisms exhibit metabolic plasticity i.e. they adapt and survive changes which occur in the biosphere and therefore are ubiquitous in their existence as compared to the complex life forms. Advances in biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology have provided us tools to understand the genetic and metabolic makeup of microorganisms which have evolved in due course of time for their successful exploitation. Thousands of microorganisms have been recovered from different niche and are available as pure cul- tures in different culture collections across the globe while thousands are still to be explored or cultured. Applied microbiology is primarily associated with exploitation of these microorganisms directly or indirectly in processes and products that are of economic, environmental and social importance throughout the world. Knowledge related to genetic engineering has revolutionized applied microbiology by enhancing the desired traits and removing the undesired traits from microorganisms thereby enhancing their commercial applicability. Today microorganisms are playing a key role in the production of a variety of products via fermentation processes which include production of enzymes for use in commercial products like detergents, medicines, personal care products etc., chemical feedstocks, foods and pharmaceuticals. Microorganisms also play an important role in agricultural practices as well as remediating the environment. The purpose of this book is to provide a consolidated resource on practical exploitation of microorganisms in different fi elds like agriculture, environment, food, chemical and pharmaceuticals. The 12 chapters provide an in-depth understanding of the knowledge related to the specifi ed fi eld with practical approach. This book is specifi cally targeted v vi Preface for undergraduates and postgraduates who take up practical research in their degree programs. It will also prove to be a useful resource book for research institutes. The inspiration to write this book is primarily students who have been striving hard to fi nd consolidated information accompanied with industrial aspects. There has been a long-felt need for a comprehensive book on the application of biotechnological processes by exploitation of microorganisms by undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers. This book is fi rst of its kind meeting this requirement. I have attempted to prepare a suit- able textbook by using a direct approach that should be very useful for students. Patiala, India Sanjai Saxena Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Devendra Kumar, my father, who has provided immense help in careful reading and editing of the manuscript. I am also thankful to Dr. Mamta Kapila, Springer for her interest in my proposal for this book and for introducing it to Springer.. I also acknowledge constant encouragement of my mother for writing this book. My wife and my daughter have been a constant inspiration and great support to make this project possible. vii Contents 1 Diversity of Industrially Relevant Microbes .............................. 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................... 1 1.2 Realm of Microbial Existence ............................................. 1 1.2.1 Diversity of Soil Microbes ..................................... 2 1.2.2 Marine Microbial Diversity ................................... 3 1.2.3 Halophilic Environment ......................................... 6 1.2.4 Plant: Microbe Interaction ..................................... 6 1.2.5 Microbe–Microbe Interactions ............................... 8 1.2.6 Animal–Microbe Interactions ................................ 8 1.3 Summary ............................................................................. 9 Selected Reading ............................................................................ 9 2 Microbial Technology and Biotechnology .................................. 13 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................... 13 2.2 Healthcare Industry and GMMOs ....................................... 14 2.3 GMMOs in Agriculture ....................................................... 15 2.4 Role of GMMOs in Chemical Industry ............................... 15 2.5 GMMOs in Textile Industry ................................................ 16 2.6 Environmental Applications of GMMOs ............................ 16 2.7 Food Industry and the Role of GMMOs ............................. 17 2.8 GMMOs for Bioethanol Production .................................... 17 2.9 Summary ............................................................................. 18 Selected Reading ............................................................................ 18 3 Fermentation Technology ............................................................ 19 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................... 19 3.2 Batch Fermentation ............................................................. 19 3.3 Continuous Fermentation .................................................... 22 3.4 Fed-Batch Fermentation ...................................................... 22 3.4.1 Fixed-Volume Fed-Batch ....................................... 22 3.4.2 Variable-Volume Fed-Batch ................................... 23 3.5 Components in a Typical Bioreactor ................................... 23 3.6 Types of Submerged Bioreactors ......................................... 25 3.6.1 Stirred Tank Fermenter (STF) ................................ 25 3.6.2 Airlift Fermenter (ALF) ......................................... 26 3.6.3 Bubble Column Fermenter (BCF) ......................... 26 3.7 Solid Substrate Fermentation .............................................. 26 ix