Microbiology

BOT: DSC-101 Course Title: Microbiology Credits: 3 Contact hours: 45 Marks: 100 (All units are of equal credits) Course Objective: To study the diversity and complexity of microbial world and its applications Unit-I: General Microbiology History of microbiology, the discovery of viruses and different groups of microorganisms (from prokaryotes to eukaryotes); status of microorganisms in the living world, different groups of microorganisms, nutritional groups of microorganisms, microbial nutrition and growth (growth curve, factors affecting growth, control), sterilization methods, culture media types and preparations for bacteria, fungi and micro algae; Antibiotics and their mode of actions, Vaccines. Unit-II: Virology and Bacteriology Viruses: Virus stature, classification (Baltimore), general structure and replication; short accounts of viroids and prions; Structure of T-phages and TMV; methods of isolation of plant viruses, economic importance. Bacteria: General characteristics, types including mycoplasmas, spheroplasts and actinomycetes; cell and cell wall structures, classification, reproduction, and economic importance. Study of the genera: Streptomyces, E. coli, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Agrobacterium, Rhizobium and Pseudomonas. Unit-III: Agricultural Microbiology Microorganisms in soil, role of microorganisms in Nitrogen cycle, Carbon cycle and Sulphur cycle in nature. Plant growth promoting bacteria, rhizosphere (microorganisms, positive and negative roles), and phyllosphere. Mycorrhiza- types and their role in agriculture and horticulture; Mechanism of biological Nitrogen fixation; Humus, microbial pesticides and herbicides. Unit-IV: Food and Industrial Microbiology Microbial spoilage of foods, preservation of foods, food poisoning, pasteurization of milk. Fermentation, Solid-state and liquid-state fermentations, batch and continuous fermentation, bioreactors, microbial production of enzymes, alcohol (Ethanol), antibiotics (Penicillin and Streptomycin) and organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid and lactic acid). Unit-V: Water, Environmental and Medical Microbiology Water micro-flora, role of microbes in sewage and domestic waste water treatment systems, determination of BOD and COD of water samples, microorganisms as indicator of water quality, tests for coliforms.

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Bioremediation of contaminated soil, enumeration of microorganisms in air, control of air born microorganisms; biogas production; microbes in biodegradation of hydrocarbons.
Microbial diseases (Aspergillosis, Tuberculosis, Tetanus, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Leprosy), causes and preventive measures; probiotics. Course Outcome: The course will provide comprehensive overview on microbial world and its applications in diverse fields.
Suggested Readings:

1. Bagyaraj, D. J. & Rangaswami, G. (2007): 2nd edition, Agricultural Microbiology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
2. Banerjee, A. K. &Banerjee, N. (2008): Fundamentals of Microbiology and Immunology. New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd. Kolkata
3. Biswas, S. B. & Biswas, A. (1996): An Introduction to Viruses, 4th edition, Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.
4. Dubey, R. C. & Maheshwari, D. K. (2005): A Textbook of Microbiology. S. Chand & Company Ltd. New Delhi.
5. Pelezar, M. J. (2001): Microbiology. 5th edition, Tata McGraw-Hill Co., New Delhi.
6. Power, C. B. & Daginawala, H. F. (2010): General Microbiology, Vol.-I & II. Himalaya Publishing House, Mumbai.
7. Pyatkin, K. & Krivoshein, Y. (1982): Microbiology with Virology and Immunology. MIR Publishers, Moscow.
8. Reddy, S. M.; Girisham, S.; Babu, G. N. & Reddy, B. V. (2017): Applied Microbiology (Agricultural, Environmental, Food and Industrial Microbiology). Scientific Publishers, Jaipur.