1.Monoclonal antibodies: Antibodies are the specialized proteins, which are produced inside the host body in response to foreign substances called antigens (mostly protein or polysaccharides) and provides immunity to the host against antigens. Antibodies are produced in Lymph nodes, spleen and liver.
Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) are the specialized antibodies, which are specific to only one type of antigens. The concept of monoclonal antobodies was put forward by georges Kohler and Cesal Milstein in 1974 and these antibodies are produced outside the body by hybrid cell culture technique, known as Hybridoma technology. For this technology, Kohler and Milstein were awarded Nobel Prize in 1984.
In this technique, the antigens (against which antibodies are needed ) are injected into rat is removed and from spleen, some lymphocytes (which are responsible for antibody production) are isolated. These lymphocytes are mixed with myeloma cells (tumour cells isolated from cancer of bone marrow). Some of these lymphocytes and myeloma cells fuse together to form hybridoma cells (by somatogamous fusion). These hybridoma cells have capacity of antibody production (of lymphocytes) and rapid cell division (of cancer cells). These hybridoma cells in cultural conditions produce large quantities of specific and pure (monoclonal) antobodies, which are separated and used in cure of different diseases.
2. Vaccines: Production of antibodies against antigens, is the basis of immunity. Vaccine in fact is dilute dose (suspension) of antigens, which is used for developing artificial or acquired immunity . The process of inoculation of vaccine is known as vaccination and Louis pasteur (1850) is responsible for understanding the basis of vaccination and immunization. (Edward Jenner 1970, however made earlier studies in relation to small pox). A vaccine contains either weakened (polio, smallpox and measles vaccines)or even killed pathogens( typhoid vaccine ) which have still antigens to induce antibody production. In some cases (like botulism and tetanus), toxins produced by pathogens serve as vaccines . A lare number of vaccines (called first generation vaccines) against different viral and bacterial diseases have been produced.
In recent years, some new vaccines called second generations and third generations vaccines have been developed . Second generations vaccines are those, which are produced by recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering . e.g., vaccine for herpes virus and Hepatitis B. Third generations vaccines are produced synthetically or are synthesized vaccines, e.g., for feline leukemia virus and foot and mouth diseases virus.
3. Amino acids : An important basic amino acid, lysine is produced from diaminopimelic acid. (constituent of cell wall of bacteria, e.g., E.coli by activity of bacterium Enterobacter
4. Some other food products : Cheese is produced by activity of different species of lactobacillus and Streptococcus.
Penicillium camembertii and P. roquefortii are used to give flavour to cheese (camembert cheese and roquefort cheese).
Similiarly, butter is produced from cream by activity of streptococcus lactis and Leuconostoc species.
5.Dextran : Sucrose by activity of Leuconostoc mesenteroides bacteria, gives rise to a complex polysaccharide called dextran, which is used in plasma tranfusions.
6. Cholesterol lowering statins: Monascus purpureus (red yeast ) is a species of mould that is purplish red in colour and is known by the names ang-khak rice mould, corn silage mould, maize silage mould, and rice kernel discoloration. This fungus is most important because of its use in the form of red yeast rice and in the production of certain fermented foods in china. However, discovery of production of cholesterol statins bythe mould has prompted research into its possible medical uses. It produces a number of statins. The naturally occuring lovastatins and analogues are monacolins K, L,J and also occur in their hydroxyl acid forms alongwith dehydroxymonacolin and compactin (mevastatin).The prescription drug lovastatin, identical to monacolin K, is the principal statin produced by Monascus purpureus.
7. Tissue cultue: This is also a latest method of crop improvement. Besides also used in manufacture of antibodies, alkaloids, and dyes (like shikonin, a red dye used in silk industry and in treatment of burns is obtained from culture of cells of lithospermum root)
8. Single cell proteins (SCP): This terms was first used in 1966. But this term is misleading now a days because it denotes not only the isolated cell protein but it is used for any microbial biomass from uni-multi-cellular bacteri, yeast, algae or filamentous fungi which can be used as food or food additives. In general, microbial biomass contains 45-55 % protein, though in some bacteria, upto 80% protein content present, Large scale production of microbial biomass (SCP) has advantages over traditional methods of producing proteins as microbes have high rate of multiplicationm, have high protein content, can utilize large number of different carbon sources (waste products also) and microbial biomass production is independent od seasonal and climatic variation. Most commonly used microbes are Spirulina (blue green alga), Chlorella (green alga), Saccharomycopsis) lipolytica (fungus), mushrooms, etc.
Methlophilus methylotrophus bacteria have been investigated for use in single cell protein production. These bacteria have a generation time of about 2 hours and mainly used in animal feed as bacteria, in general produce a more favourable protein composition than yeast or fungi. Therefore, the large quantities of SCP animal feed using bacteria. The resulting product appears pinkish white, is odourless, tasteless and non-toxic which consists of about 65-75% protein of balanced amino acids composition.
Probiotics are live microorganism thought to be beneficial to the host organism. This term has been derived from latin ('pro -for+ biotics, derived from noun 'Bios-Life). According to currently adopted definitions by FAO/WHO, probiotics are live microorganism which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefits onthe host. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics, but certain yeasts and bacilli may also be helpful. Probiotics are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods with specially added active live cultures; such as yoghurt, soyyohurt or as dietary supplements. At the start of 20th century, probiotics were thought to beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance, thus inhibiting pathogens and toxins producing bacteria.
9.Sewage treatment and methane production using microbial systems: Conventional sewage treatement involves the use of the naturally developing micro-organisms within the sewage treatement system. Now a days the sewage is onoculated with a specific micro organisms, specially selected for that particular sewage treatement process. These organisms are called ' Starter cultures'
A strain of Pseudomonas putida containing plasmids has been developed, which degrade octane, xylene, metaxylene and camphor.
Methane is produced during anaerobic decomposition of sewage and other organic wastes by bacterias. The methane is collected and used as fuel in many countries.
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