### Hello fellow steemian!
###### Here comes my first non-introductory post. It discusses the role of microorganisms in man's food.
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Before I studied Microbiology, anytime I heard microorganisms what always struck my mind was diseases and nothing more. I never thought anything useful comes from them. This also occur to so many other people, though. The study of microbiology has made us realize that microorganisms play both beneficial and harmful role in nature.

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![probioticfood.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/Qme19g2kdn6RFk9TATWtzyFiFGNXdJwRKn6wVZ6rznACVj)
[Source](https://www.google.com.ng/search?q=role+of+microorganisms+in+food&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBweutupLcAhUEIsAKHc-2BCgQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=662#imgrc=F_rkjTCNwj4AxM:)

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**Microorganisms** are living things that can not be seen with the naked eyes except with the aid of a microscope. They can be grouped into Bacteria, Fungi (Moulds and Yeasts) and viruses. Microorganisms are ubiquitous (i.e. they can be found everywhere). Microorganisms grow as man does (they are also living thing), the only difference is that microorganisms multiply themselves while man increase in size. They grow on a suitable medium which could be man's food. As they grow on food, they rather spoil the food or convert it to another useful/useless product. 

Food, on the other hand, is any substance that can be consumed to provide nutritional support for man. Food can either be sourced from plants or animals. Be it as it may, food contains nutrients such as carbohydrate, protein, fats and oils, vitamins and minerals.

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**Now, let's look at the role of microorganisms**

I divide these roles into two: **Beneficial roles** and **Harmful roles.**

## Beneficial Roles of Microorganisms
#### 1. Microorganisms as Food
Microorganisms are being consumed as food all over the world (_don't be surprised_). Examples are:

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![Amanita_phalloides_young.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmU3kXfi6Pf9epSAhnXadBaHxrJg6kaZjccz6h2LkPjMdV)
[Poisonous mushroom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom#/media/File:Amanita_phalloides_young.jpg)

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**i. Mushrooms:** Mushrooms are fungi (_Agaricus_ spp), they are widely consumed in many countries off the world (Nigeria inclusive). Research have shown that mushrooms are rich in protein, fibre, vitamins B and D as well as minerals. However, as nutritious as mushrooms adequate selection of edible species is required because there are poisonous mushrooms (_Amanita_ spp) which can kill man in few hours.
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**ii. Probiotics:** Probiotics are food or dietary supplements which contain life microorganism. they are usually consumed by man for therapeutic reasons. A common example of probiotic is **Yoghurt.**
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![images.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmXrHuC8uZzJnGiaj5gVB5Tit4aws7x45vmkzzsKqoTPRm)
[Chlorella as food](https://www.google.com.ng/search?q=chlorella&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjpi4P_3pLcAhXISsAKHeWHD9sQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=613#imgrc=8FtVsvCM8rmm3M:)

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**iii. Spirulina:** Spirulina (_Arthrosporus_ sp) is a photosynthetic and filamentous alga. It is widely consumed as food or as food supplement. it is rich in carbohydrate, protein, vitamin and minerals. Other algae that are consumed by man ar _Chlorella_ spp and _Dunaliella_ spp.
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#### 2. Microorganisms for food production
Over ages, man has explore microorganisms in the production of different food. The most well-known application of microorganisms in the food industry is **fermentation.** Fermentation is the conversion of carbohydrate (sugar) into acid and alcohol by microorganisms. 

Fermentation is as old as history. In the olden days, man have taken advantage of natural fermentation in alcoholic beverages and dairy product. they didn't understood that microorganisms were responsible for the processes. Nowadays, with the advent of microbiology, fermentation is used to make an array of interesting foods and drinks. Fermentation gives food a good taste, texture and smell.

Below are some fermented food products widely consumed by man.
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**i. Alcohol:** Alcohol is produced through the fermentation of grains (Sorghum, barley etc.) by yeasts.
**ii. Wine:** Wine is produced through the fermentation of fruits and vegetables.
**iii. Palm wine:** produced through the fermentation of sap.
**iv. Bread and bakery products:** produced through fermentation of flour (dough).
**v. Fermented milk products:** milk fermentation produced products like yoghurt, soured milk, buttermilk, cheese, _Kefir_ etc.
**vi. Cocoa powder:** produced through fermentation of cocoa seeds.
**vii. Condiments/Seasonings:** _Iru_ and _Ogiri_ are produced through the fermentation of locust beans and melon respectively.
**viii. Fermented cassava products:** cassava fermentation produced products like _Gari, Fufu, Elubo Lafun_.
**ix. _Ogi_:** fermented maize or millet.
**x. Fermented meat products:** meat fermentation produced products like sausage, Salami, ham etc.

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## Harmful Roles of Microorganisms
#### 1. Food spoilage
Despite playing a significant role in food production, microorganisms still have role to play in spoilage of available food. Food spoilage is the deterioration of food substances which makes them unfit or undesirable for human consumption. It affects the colour, odour, texture, consistency and nutritional value of foods. Food spoilage can be caused by microorganisms, chemical reactions, physical changes and vermin (weevils, ants, cockroaches etc).

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![mouldy-bread-fd002575.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmXJcS8WfoZwCN8VhkcgAmvz43kgH6YYGfjN2FpbTRB65Z)
[Spoilt bread](https://www.google.com.ng/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-XBp3Fd6iaT4%2FU_RRNU9gTYI%2FAAAAAAAAA-o%2F8cSv7xA1mfQ%2Fs1600%2Fmouldy-bread-fd002575.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fiso22000resourcecenter.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F08%2Ffood-microorganisms-food-poisoning-i.html&docid=yFLC4Pe8yiQ2KM&tbnid=qJQzHAfHO0qmBM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjA36fu4ZLcAhXBKVAKHZT4DjQQMwjKASgGMAY..i&w=1600&h=1056&bih=613&biw=1366&q=microorganisms%20in%20food&ved=0ahUKEwjA36fu4ZLcAhXBKVAKHZT4DjQQMwjKASgGMAY&iact=mrc&uact=8)

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Microbial spoilage occurs due to contamination and subsequent growth of microorganisms in foods and drinks. Foods may be contaminated by microorganisms during harvest, storage, processing, distribution, handling, or preparation. The primary sources of microbial contamination are soil, air, animal feed, and food processing machinery or utensils. Microorganisms could decompose (feed on) the nutritional content of foods and grow exponentially. By-products from the metabolic processes of the microorganisms are released in the food which makes it unacceptable by man.

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Below are some microbial food spoilers and the food they spoil:
**i. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB):** Examples of LAB include _Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, Streptococcus_. They spoil beverages such as alcohol, fruit juices and dairy products.

**ii. Acetic Acid Bacteria:** Examples include _Acetobacter, Gluconobacter, Acidomonas, Gluconacetobacter_. They majorly spoil wines.

**iii. Filamentous fungi (Moulds):**  Examples include _Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria_. They spoil fruits, cereals, bakery products and some beverages.

**iv. Yeasts:** Examples include _Saccharomyces, Candida, Blastoschizomyces_. They spoil fruit and fruit-based products, alcoholic or carbonated beverages, salad dressings, dairy products and fermented foods.

**v. Spore-forming Bacteria:** Examples are _Bacillus and Clostridium_. They mostly spoil canned foods.

**vi. Gram-negative Bacteria:** Examples include _Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes_. They spoil meats, fishes and sea foods, egg, milk and dairy products.

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![shutterstock_159086390_0.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmWCuwpex9K2m1W79jDjBSd22GQGXyPbVQmgdRH4iHJsPZ)
[Healthy and spoilt tomato](https://www.google.com.ng/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alternet.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fstory_image%2Fpublic%2Fstory_images%2Fshutterstock_159086390_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D8fUjjdoy&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alternet.org%2Ffood%2Fclimate-change-impacting-food-spoilage-and-technology-coming-rescue&docid=Qgy4GckAxxb1AM&tbnid=1tovDIubYAwTQM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwi0nJKS4pLcAhWLaFAKHc6-CSIQMwijASgEMAQ..i&w=310&h=240&bih=613&biw=1366&q=food%20spoilage&ved=0ahUKEwi0nJKS4pLcAhWLaFAKHc6-CSIQMwijASgEMAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8)

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#### 2. Food poisoning
Another detrimental role of microorganisms in food is food poisoning. Food poisoning, also known as food-borne illness, is an illness that is caused by the consumption of food or drink contaminated by microorganisms, and/or their toxins, or with parasites or chemicals. Some cases of food poisoning may be mild (not severe) while some maybe life-threatening and can lead to death. Signs and symptoms of food poisoning are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea,fever, headache and loss of appetite.

Below are some organisms that cause food poisoning:
**i. _Campylobacter jejuni_:** It causes fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. It can be encountered in raw milk as well as under-cooked meat and poultry.

**ii. _Listeria monocytogenes_:** It causes fever, headache, septicaemia and meningitis. It can be encountered in soft cheeses, salad; cook-chill products.

**iii. _Escherichia coli_:** It causes diarrhoea and inflammations. It can be encountered in contaminated water, milk, inadequately cooked meat.

**iv. _Clostridium botulinum_:** It causes nausea, vomiting, double vision and paralysis. It can be encountered in faulty processed canned foods, cured meat and raw fish.

**v. _Salmonella_ spp:** It causes diarrhoea and headache. It can be encountered in vegetables, poultry, eggs and raw egg products.

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Conclusively, the roles of microorganisms in man's food cannot be underestimated. Generally speaking, man cannot survive on this earth without food. So man must carefully look at what brings food to their table (_produces their foods_) and what takes it away (_spoils their food_).

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#### Thank you for your time!