Question

Do you think microbes can also be used as a source of energy? If yes, how?

Answer 1

Microbes can be a source of energy. Biogas is a mixture of gases created from degradable organic matter by anaerobic microbes, which can be utilised as fuel. The microorganisms used in biogas production are mostly facultative and strictly anaerobic bacteria. The most important of them are methanogenic archaebacteria, such as Methanobacterium. Methane (50-68% of biogas) is the most inflammable component. The remaining gases are CO₂ (25-35%), hydrogen (1-5%), nitrogen (2-7%), oxygen (0-0.1%), and H₂S (traces). Biogas is commercially produced in the biogas plant. The plant is fed a mixture of dung and water (1 : 1 ratio). Dung is cattle excreta, sometimes called ‘gobar’, which is why the plant is also called a ‘gobar gas plant’. Cattle waste is an excellent source of plant-derived cellulose. Biogas is a fuel alternative to firewood, kerosene, dung cakes, electricity, and LPG. It is used for heating, cooking, lighting, and irrigation. It is considered an environmentally benign and pollution-free form of energy.

Answer 2

Several microbes have been found beneficial in solving the energy crisis. Synthetic fuels produced by the activity of microbes include ethanol, methane, hydrogen, and hydrocarbons. The most important microbes in energy generation are Zymomonas mobilis and Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus. Livestock waste is used for the generation of biogas through microbial fermentation.