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Environmental Microbiology Basics

This document discusses environmental microbiology, which is the study of microbes in their natural habitats and their interactions with the environment. It covers the organization of ecosystems like the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere. Specific cycles like the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles are examined. Soil microbiology and the edaphon community are described. The roles of microorganisms in food and the air are summarized, such as their involvement in food production and spoilage or temporary occupation of the air.

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137 views7 pages

Environmental Microbiology Basics

This document discusses environmental microbiology, which is the study of microbes in their natural habitats and their interactions with the environment. It covers the organization of ecosystems like the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere. Specific cycles like the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles are examined. Soil microbiology and the edaphon community are described. The roles of microorganisms in food and the air are summarized, such as their involvement in food production and spoilage or temporary occupation of the air.

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Environmental Microbiology (CLS 416)

Introduction
Introduction:
• Environmental Microbiology
study of microbes in their natural habitats
• Microbial ecology
is the study of the relationship occurring between
different microbial populations and their environments
• Applied microbiology:-
study of practical uses of microbes in food
processing, industrial production, and biotechnology.
Organization of
Ecosystems
Biosphere
thick envelope of life that
surrounds the earth’s surface

• Made up of:
– Hydrosphere (Water)
– Lithosphere (Soil)
– Atmosphere (Air)
• Maintains and creates the conditions of
temperature, light, gases, moisture, and minerals
required for life processes.
Atmospheric Cycles

• Carbon cycle

• Nitrogen cycle

• Sulfur cycle

• Co2 cycle
Soil Microbiology

• It is branch of science/microbiology which deals with


study of soil microorganisms and their activities in the
soil
Edaphon
The organisms living in soil create a community called the
edaphon.
These are:
bacteria, fungi, unicellular algae, vascular plants and
animals especially invertebrates that occur in the surface
layer of soil.
Microorganisms and Food

 Food microbiology is the study of the microorganisms that


inhabit, create, or contaminate food.

 Of major importance is the study of microorganisms


causing food spoilage.

 "Good" bacteria, however, such as probiotics, are


becoming increasingly important in food science.

 In addition, microorganisms are essential for the


production of foods such as cheese, yogurt, other
fermented foods, bread, beer and wine.
Microbiology of Air

 Air is an unfavorable environment for microorganisms, in


which they cannot grow or divide.

 It is merely a place which they temporarily occupy and use


for movement.

 Microorganisms get into air as a consequence of wind


movement from surroundings (soil, water, waste, plant
surfaces, animals).

 during the processes of sneezing, or coughing.

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