Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeast) are integral to industrial biotechnology because of their rapid growth, genetic tractability, and ability to produce a wide range of valuable biomolecules.
Microbial Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry
1) Antibiotic Production
Penicillium chrysogenum: Produces penicillin.
Streptomyces spp.: Produces streptomycin, tetracycline, and erythromycin.
2) Vaccine Production
Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Used for recombinant vaccine production (e.g., hepatitis B vaccine).
3) Enzyme Production
Aspergillus and Bacillus species: Produce industrial enzymes like amylases, lipases, and proteases.
4) Biopharmaceuticals
Recombinant bacteria and yeast are used for the production of insulin, growth hormones, and monoclonal antibodies.
5) Bioremediation
Microbes like Pseudomonas are used to degrade environmental pollutants.
