question_answer 9)

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

Answer:

Microbes can be used as source of energy. Biogas is a mixture of gases produced from degradable organic matter by the activity of various anaerobic microorganisms and it may be used as fuel. The microorganisms involved in biogas production are mainly facultative or strictly anaerobic bacteria. The most important among them are methanogenic archaebacteria, represented by Methanobacterium. The major component of biogas is methane (about 50-68%) which is highly inflammable. The other gases are (25-35%), hydrogen (1-5%), nitrogen (2-7%), oxygen (0-0.1%) and (traces). Biogas is commercially produced inside the biogas plant. The plant is fed with a mixture of dung and water (1 : 1 ratio). Dung is excreta of cattle, commonly called ‘gobar’. It is because of this, the plant is commonly called ‘gobar gas plant’. Cattle dung is a rich source of cellulosic material from plants. Biogas is used as fuel for heating and cooking, lighting, power for irrigation and other purposes as an alternative of fire wood, kerosene, dung cakes or even electricity and LPG. It is considered as ecofriendly and pollution free source of energy.