Harnessing Microbes for the Benefit of Man

Abstract

Microorganisms reside in and around humans and are sometimes pathogenic. However, most of the microbes in the air or in our body, which exist as commensals or symbionts, benefit us in some form or other. We depend heavily on these beneficial microbes for our optimum health. The purpose of this review was to delineate and summarize the various applications of microbes for the benefit of mankind. In many areas, the biochemical properties and metabolic end products of microbes are now being channelized for improving human health and quality of life. The author collated data from various published articles and tried to present a holistic viewpoint of this aspect of the application of microbes for the betterment of human health and public health as well.