Applied Microbiology Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applied Microbiology - Article Example The barrier prevents the antimicrobial from acting on the intended cells. The cells within the biofilms differ from planktonic cells metabolically and biochemically due to their increased expression of beneficial genes, phenotypic changes in the colony morphology and the in the production of extracellular polymers (Khan, p45). Examples include the streptococcus spp. in dental caries, the Fusobacterium in chronic wounds and the PAH are products of incomplete combustion of materials like fossil fuels that are highly hydrophobic in nature and resistant to environmental degradation posing health risks. It is possible to breakdown PAH using the ability of microorganisms and to remediate contaminated soils. Degradation can be either biological or chemical. Biological process involves degradation by microorganisms, biodegradation and metabolism and factors like PH, moisture, temperature, oxygen and molecular weight get considered. Chemical degradation involves altering the PAH nomenclature through chemical processes by the use of UV rays and reactions aimed at oxidation-reduction with factors such as sunlight exposure, PH level, and PAH structure in consideration. BTEX have highly soluble characteristics and are made up of contaminants that make up petroleum products. The solubility of the petroleum components makes it the predominant agent in ground water contamination. Bioremediation relies on biodegradation a ctivity of soil microorganisms that involves the indigenous bacteria and fungi. Microorganisms break down organic components to water and carbon dioxide to help in the remediation. For the process to be successful, it is important to ensure that the contaminated materials get detoxified to prevent recontamination and to establish the effectiveness of the remediation. Several tests including the daphnia-based, algae and bacteria based