Question 1

In anaerobic “butyric–isopropyl” fermentation of carbohydrates by certain bacteria (e.g., Clostridium), which products are typically formed?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Clostridial fermentations encompass several product patterns: ABE (acetone–butanol–ethanol), IBE (isopropanol–butanol–ethanol), and acidogenic routes yielding volatile fatty acids (VFAs) like acetate and butyrate. The term “butyric–isopropyl fermentation” refers to pathways where isopropanol is produced (via reduction of acetone) alongside typical acidogenic products. Given Data / Assumptions: Substrate: carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions. Microorganisms: Clostridium species capable of shifting between acidogenesis and solventogenesis. Products may include acids (butyric, acetic) and reduced solvents (isopropanol), with minor polyols possible under certain conditions. Concept / Approach: During acidogenesis, Clostridia produce acetic acid and butyric acid from sugars, reducing pH. Under solventogenesis, acids are reassimilated to solvents; acetone can be reduced to isopropanol in IBE strains. Some conditions can lead to small amounts of diols (glycols), though yields vary. Thus, a mixture containing butyric acid and acetic acid is typical, and isopropanol production characterizes the “isopropyl” variant, with glycols possible depending on strain and redox balance. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize acidogenesis products: acetate and butyrate.Note solventogenic shift: acetone reduced to isopropanol in IBE pathways.Account for potential minor glycol formation under certain metabolic fluxes.Therefore, all listed products can appear in “butyric–isopropyl” fermentations. Verification / Alternative check: Process data from IBE strains documents co-production of isopropanol with residual acids; metabolic engineering papers also note diol by-products under specific conditions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Choosing only one product ignores the mixed-acid/solvent nature of these fermentations. Common Pitfalls: Confusing ABE (acetone dominant) with IBE (isopropanol dominant) and overlooking acidogenesis stages that precede solvent production. Final Answer: All of these

Question 2

For fermentative production of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) by Streptomyces olivaceus, which inorganic precursor salt is typically supplied to support cobalt insertion?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) contains a central cobalt ion chelated within the corrin ring. Industrial fermentations therefore supplement cobalt to enable efficient biosynthesis. The question asks which salt is commonly used as a precursor for Streptomyces olivaceus processes. Given Data / Assumptions: Organism: Streptomyces olivaceus. Need: a soluble, bioavailable cobalt source. Media typically include trace metals; cobalt must be controlled to avoid toxicity while ensuring supply. Concept / Approach: Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) is widely used as a cobalt source due to its solubility and ease of dosing at trace levels. Cobalt sulphate may also serve in some processes, but CoCl2 is the more commonly cited in classic media formulations for cobalamin production. Calcium salts listed do not provide cobalt and thus are irrelevant to corrin cobaltation. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the essential requirement: cobalt ion for cobalamin core.Select a soluble cobalt salt compatible with fermentation media.Cobalt chloride satisfies solubility and availability criteria.Conclude that cobalt chloride is the appropriate precursor. Verification / Alternative check: Standard fermentation media and patents list CoCl2 as a trace additive for B12 production across multiple producing species. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Cobalt sulphate: possible, but not the most commonly referenced in classic recipes for S. olivaceus.Calcium chloride / sulphate: provide calcium, not cobalt; cannot support B12 cobalt insertion. Common Pitfalls: Over-supplying cobalt (toxic) or neglecting the need for dimethylbenzimidazole and other cofactors in full B12 biosynthesis. Final Answer: Cobalt chloride

Question 3

In Corynebacterium glutamicum, tryptophan biosynthesis is primarily regulated at which enzymatic step(s)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Tryptophan biosynthesis branches from the shikimate pathway. Regulation typically occurs at the entry to the aromatic pathway and at the first committed step toward tryptophan. The organism Corynebacterium glutamicum is a major industrial microbe; understanding its control points is key for amino acid overproduction strategies. Given Data / Assumptions: DAHP synthetase catalyzes condensation of erythrose-4-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate to yield DAHP, the entry to the aromatic pathway. Anthranilate synthase commits flux toward tryptophan by converting chorismate to anthranilate. Feedback inhibition by aromatic amino acids modulates these steps. Concept / Approach: Control of tryptophan biosynthesis is distributed: DAHP synthetase balances overall aromatic flux and is feedback-controlled by end products; anthranilate synthase is often specifically inhibited by tryptophan. Engineering for higher tryptophan titers therefore targets both enzymes: desensitizing feedback at DAHP synthetase to increase total aromatic flow and relieving inhibition at anthranilate synthase to channel more chorismate to tryptophan. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the entry-point enzyme (DAHP synthetase) controlling total aromatic carbon flow.Identify the branch-point enzyme (anthranilate synthase) committing to tryptophan.Note feedback inhibition patterns relevant to C. glutamicum.Conclude that regulation operates at both steps. Verification / Alternative check: Metabolic engineering literature repeatedly reports improved tryptophan titers by mutating/desensitizing both DAHP synthetase and anthranilate synthase in Corynebacterium spp. Why Other Options Are Wrong: DAHP synthetase only: misses the specific branch control by anthranilate synthase.Anthranilate synthase only: ignores upstream flux limitation at DAHP formation.Phosphoenolpyruvate: a metabolite, not the regulatory enzyme per se. Common Pitfalls: Tuning only one node and neglecting the upstream carbon supply into the aromatic pathway. Final Answer: Both (a) and (b)

Question 4

Present-day high-yield penicillin production relies on improved strains of which species (historically including mutants such as Q-176 and Q-179)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: After the initial discovery of penicillin, industrial production shifted to Penicillium chrysogenum due to its superior yields. Through classical strain improvement (mutation/selection), specific mutants such as Q-176 and Q-179 became benchmarks for increased penicillin production, paving the way for today’s even more productive lines. Given Data / Assumptions: Industrial penicillin producers are P. chrysogenum strains. Q-176 and Q-179 are historically significant high-yield mutants. “Present-day high yielding” refers to the lineage derived from these mutants. Concept / Approach: While the foundational wild-type strain NRRL 1951 was crucial, subsequent mutants like Q-176 delivered substantial yield improvements and became standard industrial workhorses for many years. Modern strains often descend from or build on these improvements. Among the options, Q-176 is emblematic of high-yield production lines historically recognized in industry. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the producing species: Penicillium chrysogenum.Distinguish between wild-type (NRRL 1951) and improved mutants (Q-176, Q-179).Select a representative high-yield mutant used widely: Q-176.Acknowledge that modern strains may surpass these but trace lineage back to them. Verification / Alternative check: Industrial histories and strain lineages cite Q-176/Q-179 as classic high-yield mutants, often preceding proprietary super-producing strains. Why Other Options Are Wrong: NRRL 1951: important progenitor but not the archetypal high-yield strain.Q-179: also high-yield, but the question requires a single choice; Q-176 is at least as emblematic and widely cited.None of the above: contradicts well-documented industrial practice. Common Pitfalls: Assuming the original wild-type remained the industrial standard; ignoring the extensive mutation/selection programs that transformed yields. Final Answer: Penicillium chrysogenum (Q-176)

Question 5

In industrial microbiology, which microorganism is classically used for the commercial production of the antibiotic streptomycin?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Streptomycin is a landmark aminoglycoside antibiotic discovered in the 1940s that transformed the treatment of tuberculosis and many Gram-negative infections. In bioprocess and pharmaceutical microbiology, knowing the canonical producing organism is essential for understanding historical strain development, pathway engineering, and industrial fermentation practices. Given Data / Assumptions: The task asks for the organism used for the production of streptomycin. Options list several species from the genus Streptomyces, each known to produce different antibiotics. We assume standard historical and industrial references are in scope. Concept / Approach: The correct producer of streptomycin is Streptomyces griseus. Other Streptomyces species are renowned producers of different antibiotics (for example, S. rimosus for oxytetracycline, S. aureofaciens for chlortetracycline, and S. erythreus—now Saccharopolyspora erythraea—for erythromycin). Distinguishing these avoided mix-ups in early fermentation programs and still matters in QA/QC and strain selection today. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify which antibiotic is associated with each listed organism.Recall: streptomycin ↔ Streptomyces griseus (canonical pairing).Cross-check other options: rimosus → oxytetracycline, aureofaciens → chlortetracycline, erythreus → erythromycin.Select the organism specifically paired with streptomycin: Streptomyces griseus. Verification / Alternative check: Historical accounts of Waksman’s lab and standard bioprocess textbooks consistently name S. griseus as the original and industrially refined producer of streptomycin; modern processes may use improved mutants, but the species attribution remains the same. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Streptomyces rimosus: producer of oxytetracycline, not streptomycin. Streptomyces aureofaciens: producer of chlortetracycline. Streptomyces erythreus (Saccharopolyspora erythraea): producer of erythromycin. “None of these” contradicts well-established data. Common Pitfalls: Confusing closely related Streptomyces species due to overlapping discovery eras; assuming any Streptomyces species can produce all common antibiotics; not recognizing taxonomic revisions (for example, erythreus → Saccharopolyspora). Final Answer: Streptomyces griseus

Question 6

In the traditional Orleans surface process for vinegar, what does the term “vinegar mother” specifically refer to during acetic fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Orleans method is a classic, slow vinegar production process in which acetic acid bacteria oxidize ethanol at the liquid–air interface. The term “mother of vinegar” is central to understanding how biofilms of acetic acid bacteria drive this bioconversion in traditional barrels. Given Data / Assumptions: The question asks for the most accurate description of “vinegar mother.” We focus on surface culture systems (air contact is essential). Primary organisms are acetic acid bacteria such as Acetobacter and Gluconobacter. Concept / Approach: “Vinegar mother” is a gelatinous biofilm at the surface of the fermenting liquid, dominated by acetic acid bacteria embedded within extracellular cellulose. It appears as a slimy pellicle or film and is both a sign and facilitator of active ethanol oxidation to acetic acid. The most comprehensive description among the options is the conspicuous slime/film growth at the surface of the alcoholic broth in contact with air. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize vinegar mother as a surface biofilm (pellicle) produced by acetic acid bacteria.Note its location: at the air–liquid interface of the fermenting alcohol.Select the option that captures the visual film and slimy growth most explicitly.Confirm that this aligns with traditional Orleans practice and observations. Verification / Alternative check: Practical vinegar making and microbiology manuals describe the mother as a cellulose-rich pellicle formed by Acetobacter, validating the “surface film” characterization. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Inoculum only describes the starter, not the persistent film structure. “Cellulosic strands” are part of the pellicle but understate the broader slimy film and microbial matrix. “None of the above” is incorrect given standard definitions. An ethanol overlay is not the mother and would inhibit air contact required for the process. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the biofilm with simple sediment; assuming submerged acetators (industrial rapid processes) create the same surface “mother.” Final Answer: Considerable slime and film growth of Acetobacter bacteria on the surface of the alcoholic broth

Question 7

Food flavor enhancement: Which of the following amino acids can contribute to or enhance flavor perception in formulated foods?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Amino acids are not only building blocks of proteins; they also directly influence taste—sweet, bitter, sour, umami—and serve as precursors for key flavor compounds. Understanding which amino acids enhance flavor helps in food formulation, flavor masking, and development of low-calorie sweeteners and umami enhancers. Given Data / Assumptions: We evaluate L-alanine, DL-alanine (racemate), and L-aspartic acid as flavor enhancers. Context is general food flavor enhancement, not therapeutic taste testing. We consider direct taste effects and contribution to flavor systems. Concept / Approach: L-alanine is known to have a mild sweet taste and is used in some formulations as a sweet-taste enhancer. DL-alanine (racemic) can retain sweetness characteristics, though often with different intensity compared to the pure L-form. L-aspartic acid is a structural component of the high-intensity sweetener aspartame (a methyl ester of the dipeptide L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine), and free L-aspartic acid participates in taste modulation and Maillard-derived flavor development. Collectively, these amino acids can enhance flavor or sweetness perception in suitable matrices. Step-by-Step Solution: Assess L-alanine: contributes sweetness and can soften harsh notes.Assess DL-alanine: racemate offers similar sensory contributions in some systems.Assess L-aspartic acid: pivotal in sweetener chemistry and taste modulation.Conclude that each listed amino acid has flavor-enhancing roles; select “All of these.” Verification / Alternative check: Sensory science references and formulation guides cite L-alanine as sweet and L-aspartic acid as part of aspartame; both are used in flavor systems, supporting the selection. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Each single-choice option ignores the contributions of the others. “None of these” contradicts established flavor science. Common Pitfalls: Assuming only glutamate contributes to flavor (umami); overlooking stereochemistry’s influence on taste strength versus capability. Final Answer: All of these

Question 8

Enology and microbiology: Which of the following organisms have demonstrated phosphate-solubilizing ability relevant to red wine systems?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Phosphate solubilization is a classic trait in soil and industrial microbiology, typically associated with organisms that mobilize inorganic phosphates via acidification or chelation. In the context of red wine production, the microbial cast is dominated by yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and certain acetic acid bacteria; the concept of “phosphate-solubilizing organisms” is not commonly attributed to these production microbes within wine fermentation practice. Given Data / Assumptions: The question targets phosphate solubilization in red wine environments. Options list S. cerevisiae, Gluconobacter oxydans, and Bacillus subtilis. We consider practical, documented roles in wine fermentation rather than soil/plant growth contexts. Concept / Approach: Although many Bacillus species (for example, B. megaterium) are renowned phosphate solubilizers in agriculture, they are not typical agents in controlled wine fermentations. S. cerevisiae is the principal ethanologenic yeast and is not conventionally cited for phosphate solubilization as a technological function in wine. Gluconobacter and Acetobacter play roles in oxidative spoilage and vinegar production, not targeted phosphate chemistry in red wine. Therefore, within the enological frame implied, none of the listed organisms is the recognized answer. Step-by-Step Solution: Check standard wine microbiology roles for each organism.Contrast with organisms classically labeled “phosphate-solubilizers” (for example, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas spp., Aspergillus spp.).Conclude that the listed organisms are not the canonical phosphate-solubilizers in red wine practice.Select “None of these.” Verification / Alternative check: Review enology texts: key concerns are fermentation kinetics, malolactic fermentation, off-flavors, and spoilage organics; phosphate solubilization is not a targeted function of S. cerevisiae, Gluconobacter, or B. subtilis in wine cellars. Why Other Options Are Wrong: S. cerevisiae: primary ethanol producer, not used to solubilize phosphate in wine. Gluconobacter oxydans: oxidative bacterium more aligned with vinegar production and spoilage. Bacillus subtilis: industrial enzyme producer and soil PGPR; not a standard wine fermenter. “All of these” overstates their roles in red wine systems. Common Pitfalls: Transferring agricultural soil microbiology facts directly into enology without considering process context; assuming any acid-producing microbe will be categorized as a phosphate solubilizer in wine. Final Answer: None of these

Question 9

Industrial citric acid fermentation: Which organism is most widely used commercially to obtain citric acid by fungal fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Citric acid is a high-volume organic acid used in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Understanding the standard production organism is foundational for discussions about substrate choice, metal ion control, and process modes (surface vs submerged) in industrial biotechnology. Given Data / Assumptions: The question asks for the traditional fungal producer organism. Options list several molds and a yeast. We assume typical large-scale, submerged aerobic fermentation. Concept / Approach: The overwhelming majority of commercial citric acid is produced by Aspergillus niger. Its physiology, tolerance to acidic conditions, and ability to hyper-produce citric acid under controlled metal ion limitation make it ideal for industrial processes. Other organisms can produce organic acids, but A. niger is the established workhorse for citric acid. Step-by-Step Solution: Survey known citric acid producers used industrially.Match each option to its common industrial product: A. niger → citric acid (canonical).Eliminate organisms more associated with enzymes or other acids.Select Aspergillus niger as the commercial standard. Verification / Alternative check: Industrial biotech references and process patents consistently center on A. niger for citric acid, validating this choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A. oryzae: enzyme and koji fermentation organism, not the main citric acid producer. A. flavus: known for aflatoxin risks—unsuitable for food-grade citric acid. S. cerevisiae: ethanol fermentation yeast. Rhizopus oryzae: associated with fumaric/lactic acid production pathways. Common Pitfalls: Assuming any Aspergillus species is interchangeable; overlooking contamination control and trace metal effects crucial for citric acid yields. Final Answer: Aspergillus niger

Question 10

Commercial enzyme production: Which of the following bacteria are used industrially for producing bacterial amylases?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Amylases are among the most widely used industrial enzymes, with applications in starch processing, baking, brewing, and detergents. Bacterial sources, particularly from the genus Bacillus, are prized for their thermostability and robustness in industrial conditions. Given Data / Assumptions: The question seeks organisms used commercially for bacterial amylase production. Options list two Bacillus species and one solvent-producing Clostridium. We assume standard enzyme industry practices. Concept / Approach: Bacillus species are the dominant bacterial producers of alpha-amylases (and related enzymes). Bacillus subtilis and related species/strains (including those historically referred to as Bacillus diastaticus) have been used to produce amylases at scale. By contrast, Clostridium acetobutylicum is a classic ABE (acetone–butanol–ethanol) fermenter and is not an industrial amylase producer. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify which listed bacteria are known for amylase secretion.Confirm B. subtilis and B. diastaticus as amylase producers in literature and practice.Exclude C. acetobutylicum due to its solvent production profile.Select “Both (a) and (b).” Verification / Alternative check: Enzyme catalogs and industrial strains frequently stem from Bacillus spp., including B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, and historically “diastaticus” designations associated with starch-degrading activity. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Only (a) or only (b) omits a legitimate industrial source. C. acetobutylicum is unrelated to commercial amylase manufacture. “None” contradicts established enzyme biotechnology. Common Pitfalls: Confusing yeast “diastaticus” strains in brewing with bacterial nomenclature; overlooking that multiple Bacillus species serve as amylase workhorses. Final Answer: Both (a) and (b)

Question 11

Antibiotic biosynthesis: Cephalosporins—antibiotics structurally and functionally related to penicillins—are produced industrially by species of which genus?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics discovered from marine fungus-like organisms and later produced industrially. Recognizing the original producing genus is a core fact in pharmaceutical microbiology and provides context for semisynthetic derivative development and strain improvement programs. Given Data / Assumptions: The question asks for the producing genus of cephalosporins. We compare plausible genera including bacteria and fungi. Historical naming conventions are acceptable (modern taxonomy notes apply but the canonical exam answer remains). Concept / Approach: The classic producer is Cephalosporium (now placed in genus Acremonium in modern taxonomy). Industrial processes historically cited Cephalosporium acremonium as the source. While taxonomic updates exist, examinations and many references still use “Cephalosporium” for canonical pairing with cephalosporins. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the organism historically linked to cephalosporins.Note taxonomic update: Cephalosporium → Acremonium, but exam convention prefers the former.Eliminate unrelated bacterial genera.Select “Cephalosporium.” Verification / Alternative check: Pharmaceutical microbiology texts and historical discovery accounts affirm Cephalosporium as the source organism for cephalosporin C, the parent compound for many semisynthetic cephalosporins. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Cephalospodium” is a misspelling/nonstandard genus. Pseudomonas and Bacillus produce other metabolites but not cephalosporin C. Penicillium is linked to penicillin, not cephalosporins. Common Pitfalls: Confusing penicillin and cephalosporin producers; overlooking taxonomy changes that do not affect the exam-style answer. Final Answer: Cephalosporium

Question 12

Sulfite waste liquor fermentation: Candida utilis is employed because of its ability to ferment which class of sugars present in this substrate?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Sulfite waste liquor is a by-product of paper pulp processing and contains significant amounts of hemicellulose-derived pentose sugars. Selecting microorganisms capable of utilizing pentoses is crucial for single-cell protein (SCP) production and value recovery from this waste stream. Given Data / Assumptions: The organism is Candida utilis, a yeast used in SCP processes. The substrate contains pentoses such as xylose and arabinose. We focus on the primary sugar class enabling growth and fermentation. Concept / Approach: Candida utilis is well known for its ability to assimilate pentose sugars, a key reason it became a favored microbe for upgrading sulfite waste liquor into microbial biomass. While it can also use hexoses under many conditions, the distinctive capability for pentoses makes it suitable for this specific feedstock. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify major sugars in sulfite waste liquor: hemicellulose hydrolysates yield pentoses.Match organism metabolic capability: C. utilis grows on pentoses efficiently.Exclude common disaccharides (sucrose, maltose) as defining traits for this process.Select “Pentose.” Verification / Alternative check: Classic SCP literature and pulp-and-paper bioprocess case studies emphasize C. utilis on pentose-rich waste streams, corroborating this answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Sucrose, glucose, and maltose may be utilizable by many yeasts but are not the defining advantage here. Lactose utilization is more characteristic of organisms like Kluyveromyces. Common Pitfalls: Assuming any fermentable sugar works equally; missing that the economic hook is valorizing pentose-rich residues. Final Answer: Pentose

Question 13

Amino acid biotechnology: Which organisms are used for the industrial production of the essential amino acid L-lysine?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: L-lysine is a high-volume amino acid used in animal feeds and food fortification. Its commercial production is a flagship example of microbial strain development, metabolic engineering, and fed-batch fermentation optimization. Given Data / Assumptions: We evaluate three closely related actinobacteria used historically and currently for amino acid fermentations. Strain designations such as FA 1-30 indicate improved production phenotypes. We assume standard sugar-based aerobic fermentations with downstream crystallization. Concept / Approach: Species from the Corynebacterium/Brevibacterium group are the established industrial producers of L-lysine. Both Corynebacterium glutamicum and Brevibacterium flavum (including specific high-producing mutants like FA 1-30) appear throughout industrial literature and patents as producers scaled to hundreds of thousands of tons globally. Step-by-Step Solution: List canonical L-lysine producers: C. glutamicum and B. flavum.Note that FA 1-30 is a high-yield mutant/strain of B. flavum.Recognize all three listed entries represent valid producers.Select “All of these.” Verification / Alternative check: Reviews on amino acid biotechnology and industry case studies consistently document these organisms as lysine workhorses with extensive genetic improvements (feedback-resistant pathways, transporter engineering, and oxygen transfer optimization). Why Other Options Are Wrong: Any single-organism choice is incomplete. “None of these” contradicts well-known industrial practice. Common Pitfalls: Confusing glutamate and lysine production strains; overlooking that production names may reflect legacy classification between Brevibacterium and Corynebacterium. Final Answer: All of these

Question 14

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) biotechnology: Which microorganism among the following can produce vitamin B12 using methanol as the carbon source?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an industrially important cofactor produced microbially. Some production routes exploit methylotrophic organisms capable of growing on one-carbon substrates such as methanol. Identifying which organisms can synthesize B12 under these conditions reflects knowledge of specialized metabolisms beyond common fermenters. Given Data / Assumptions: The carbon source is methanol, indicating methylotrophy is relevant. Options include methanogenic archaea/bacteria and a historical methylotroph designation. We focus on organisms documented for vitamin B12 formation on methanol. Concept / Approach: Among the listed organisms, Protaminobacter ruber is associated historically with growth on methanol and cobalamin formation. In contrast, many methanogens (for example, Methanobacterium spp.) utilize CO2/H2 or acetate routes and are not the standard organisms cited for B12 production on methanol in industrial contexts. Therefore, the correct selection is Protaminobacter ruber. Step-by-Step Solution: Filter candidates by capacity to use methanol as a sole or primary carbon source.Cross-reference with documented cobalamin synthesis in methylotrophs.Exclude typical methanogens not used for B12 production on methanol.Select Protaminobacter ruber. Verification / Alternative check: Classical fermentation literature mentions methylotrophic bacteria, including strains attributed historically to Protaminobacter, in experimental B12 formation using methanol; modern taxonomy may have updated names, but the exam-style pairing remains. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Methanobacterium soehngenii and Methanobacillus omelianski are linked to methanogenesis and syntrophic growth, not standard B12 production on methanol. “All of the above” overgeneralizes capabilities across metabolically distinct groups. “None” contradicts methylotroph reports. Common Pitfalls: Assuming all methanol-utilizing microbes are equal in secondary metabolite production; conflating methanogenesis with aerobic methylotrophy used in vitamin fermentations. Final Answer: Protaminobacter ruber

Question 15

Antibiotics classification in industrial microbiology: which one of the following is a well-known natural cephalosporin antibiotic produced by the mold formerly known as Cephalosporium acremonium (Acremonium chrysogenum)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Industrial microbiology categorizes beta-lactam antibiotics into penicillins and cephalosporins. Among the earliest cephalosporins isolated from the mold Cephalosporium acremonium (now Acremonium chrysogenum) is cephalosporin C, which served as a crucial starting point for many semisynthetic, clinically used cephalosporins. This question checks recognition of the classic natural cephalosporin molecule associated with that organism and clarifies similar-sounding but different compounds. Given Data / Assumptions: The focus is specifically on a well-known natural cephalosporin produced by the Acremonium lineage. Options list compounds with different origins and classes; only one matches the precise description asked. The learner is expected to distinguish cephalosporins from other antibiotics and metabolites by name and historical source. Concept / Approach: Cephalosporin C is the hallmark natural cephalosporin isolated from Cephalosporium acremonium. While other compounds may be beta-lactams or antibiotics, the question narrows the correct choice to the prototypical, textbook cephalosporin derived from the Acremonium mold, not to similarly named metabolites or unrelated antifungals. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the producing organism highlighted historically for cephalosporins: Cephalosporium (Acremonium).Recall the natural cephalosporin isolated from it: cephalosporin C.Exclude look-alike names or antibiotics from other classes or sources.Select the option that exactly matches the natural cephalosporin from Acremonium. Verification / Alternative check: Textbook histories of beta-lactams consistently cite cephalosporin C as the Acremonium-derived natural cephalosporin used as a precursor for multiple cephalosporin generations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Synnematin: Not a classic cephalosporin; different metabolite class. Cephalosporin N: Historically confusing; not the hallmark Acremonium product sought in the question. All of these: Incorrect because not all listed compounds are cephalosporins from Acremonium. Amphotericin B: A polyene antifungal, not a cephalosporin. Common Pitfalls: Choosing by name similarity alone; assuming “N” and “C” variants are interchangeable; overlooking organism-specific provenance when classifying natural products. Final Answer: Cephalosporin C

Question 16

Antibiotic production source check: Erythromycin (a broad-spectrum macrolide) is industrially obtained from which actinomycete?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Erythromycin is a first-generation macrolide antibiotic used for a wide range of bacterial infections. Understanding its industrial source organism is foundational in pharmaceutical microbiology and helps link metabolic capabilities of actinomycetes to specific drug classes. Given Data / Assumptions: Erythromycin’s classic industrial producer is Streptomyces erythreus (reclassified as Saccharopolyspora erythraea in modern taxonomy). Other Streptomyces species listed produce important antibiotics (for example, S. rimosus → oxytetracycline; S. venezuelae → chloramphenicol) but not erythromycin. The question expects recognition of the conventional teaching organism name used in many curricula. Concept / Approach: Match the antibiotic class (macrolide) with its canonical producer. While taxonomy evolves, educational materials often reference the older naming. Therefore, select Streptomyces erythreus to align with standard industrial microbiology descriptions of erythromycin production. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall erythromycin → macrolide from S. erythreus/Saccharopolyspora erythraea.Exclude organisms known for other antibiotics.Choose the organism historically linked to erythromycin production.Confirm macrolide biosynthesis traits fit actinomycete secondary metabolism. Verification / Alternative check: Reference tables in pharmaceutical microbiology list S. erythreus as the source; modern texts may use the new genus but acknowledge the historical name. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Streptomyces rimosus: Producer of oxytetracycline, not erythromycin. Streptomyces venezuelae: Associated with chloramphenicol production. Streptomyces halstedii: Not the canonical erythromycin producer. Nocardia asteroides: Clinically relevant actinomycete; not an erythromycin producer. Common Pitfalls: Mixing up antibiotic–organism pairs due to similar genus names; ignoring that macrolides and tetracyclines arise from different biosynthetic gene clusters. Final Answer: Streptomyces erythreus

Question 17

Enzyme for dairy processing: “microbial rennet” used in cheese making is most commonly produced by which microorganism group?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Rennet substitutes used in cheese manufacture include microbial proteases that mimic the milk-clotting action of chymosin. Recognizing the common microbial sources of these enzymes is essential for dairy biotechnology and for understanding labeling such as “microbial rennet” on cheese packages. Given Data / Assumptions: Microbial rennets are usually aspartic proteases. Species frequently cited include Mucor miehei and Mucor pusillus (zygomycetous molds). Other genera produce industrial enzymes, but not the classical “microbial rennet” used for clotting casein. Concept / Approach: The best-known commercial microbial rennets originate from Mucor species. These enzymes provide reliable milk-clotting, are produced at scale by fermentation, and are widely accepted for vegetarian cheese production. Although Aspergillus species produce many industrial enzymes, they are not the prototypical source for rennet used in cheesemaking. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the target enzyme class: rennet-like milk-clotting protease.Match to established commercial source organisms.Choose the genus most commonly associated with microbial rennet production.Cross-check against dairy biotechnology references. Verification / Alternative check: Product datasheets for microbial rennet often specify Mucor miehei or Mucor pusillus–derived enzymes, confirming the industry standard. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Aspergillus spp: Important enzyme producers (amylases, proteases) but not the classical microbial rennet source. Bacillus spp: Yield neutral/alkaline proteases used in detergents/foods, not typical rennet substitutes. Saccharomyces spp: Yeasts for brewing/baking; not rennet producers. Penicillium spp: Important in cheese ripening (e.g., P. roqueforti), not rennet production. Common Pitfalls: Confusing ripening molds with clotting enzyme sources; assuming any protease works equally well—specific milk-clotting activity and low proteolysis on casein are critical. Final Answer: Mucor spp

Question 18

Beet molasses pretreatment in fermentation: to reduce problematic trace metals, beet molasses is commonly pretreated with which chemical agents?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Beet molasses is a widely used, low-cost carbon source in industrial fermentations. However, trace metals present in molasses can inhibit microbial growth or distort product yields. Pretreatment strategies remove or complex these metals to stabilize fermentation performance. Given Data / Assumptions: Target is reduction of trace metal bioavailability (for example, copper, iron, heavy metals). Industrial practice favors simple, scalable treatments compatible with downstream processing. We are comparing commonly cited chemical approaches. Concept / Approach: Ferrocyanide/ferricyanide treatments precipitate or complex certain metals, reducing their inhibitory effects. When applied under controlled conditions, they help clarify the feedstock without causing unacceptable cyanide release under process conditions. Strong mineral acids (HCl, H2SO4) adjust pH and can hydrolyze impurities but are not primarily metal-chelating solutions for this purpose. The misspelled “ethylenediamine tetrachloro acetic acid” is not the standard chelator (EDTA is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and is inappropriate as written. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the problem: inhibitory trace metals in beet molasses.Select a treatment known to complex/precipitate these metals effectively.Match industrial practice: ferrocyanide/ferricyanide conditioning.Exclude pH-only treatments and incorrect chelator names. Verification / Alternative check: Fermentation manuals and sugar industry practices note the use of ferrocyanide/ferricyanide clarifying steps to mitigate metal-related inhibition and color bodies. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Ethylenediamine tetrachloro acetic acid”: Incorrect chemical; even EDTA (correct name) is not the standard industrial choice here. Hydrochloric/sulphuric acid: Useful for pH adjustment or hydrolysis; not specific for complexing trace metals in this context. Sodium bicarbonate: Buffering/neutralization, not a metal-complexing pretreatment. Common Pitfalls: Overlooking safety controls for ferro/ferricyanide systems; assuming any acid wash solves metal inhibition; ignoring that chelation strategy must not impair downstream product recovery. Final Answer: ferrocyanide or ferricyanide

Question 19

Ethanol from whey lactose: which microorganism is commonly used to ferment lactose in whey to alcohol in industrial practice?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Whey, a dairy by-product rich in lactose, represents a large renewable substrate for producing ethanol and other value-added products. Efficient fermentation hinges on microorganisms capable of metabolizing lactose directly, which many conventional brewing yeasts cannot do without prior hydrolysis. Given Data / Assumptions: Lactose-fermenting yeasts such as Candida pseudotropicalis (syn. Kluyveromyces marxianus) are used for whey valorization. Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not natively ferment lactose; it needs lactose hydrolysis to glucose/galactose first. Industrial goals include high productivity, thermotolerance, and ability to handle whey components. Concept / Approach: Select a yeast that possesses beta-galactosidase activity or expresses permease systems enabling lactose utilization. Candida pseudotropicalis/Kluyveromyces marxianus meets these criteria and is historically reported for ethanol production from whey streams, often with favorable growth rates at elevated temperatures. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify substrate: lactose (disaccharide of glucose and galactose).Match yeast that can utilize lactose directly.Choose the species documented for whey-to-ethanol processes.Rule out organisms lacking native lactose fermentation. Verification / Alternative check: Process descriptions and academic reports on whey ethanol consistently list Kluyveromyces marxianus/C. pseudotropicalis as prime candidates due to lactose metabolism and thermotolerance. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Standard ethanol producer, but not directly on lactose. Candida utilis: Valued for single-cell protein; not the typical ethanol producer from lactose. None of these: Incorrect because a correct organism is listed. Kluyveromyces lactis: Lactose-utilizing, but traditionally more associated with dairy enzyme production than high-rate ethanol; the most cited ethanol strain here is C. pseudotropicalis/K. marxianus. Common Pitfalls: Assuming any ethanol yeast can ferment lactose; neglecting pretreatment (clarification, deproteinization) steps that improve fermentation performance. Final Answer: Candida pseudotropicalis

Question 20

Amino acid biosynthesis in industry: for glutamic acid production by Corynebacterium glutamicum, what immediate metabolic precursor feeds directly into the glutamate pathway?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Glutamic acid (glutamate) is produced at scale using Corynebacterium glutamicum, a workhorse of amino-acid fermentation. Understanding the central carbon intermediates that lead to glutamate accumulation helps explain process control (for example, biotin limitation or cell-membrane perturbation) used to drive secretion. Given Data / Assumptions: Central metabolism funnels carbon through glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Glutamate is synthesized by amination of 2-oxo-glutarate (alpha-ketoglutarate) via glutamate dehydrogenase or through the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase routes. “Immediate precursor” refers to the direct carbon skeleton donor to glutamate. Concept / Approach: In C. glutamicum, 2-oxo-glutarate is the TCA intermediate directly converted to glutamate. Process strategies often elevate intracellular pools of this ketoacid and shift redox/ammonium balance to favor aminating flux, thereby enhancing glutamate secretion to the broth. Step-by-Step Solution: Trace carbon from sugars through glycolysis to TCA cycle.Identify 2-oxo-glutarate as the carbon skeleton for glutamate.Recognize enzymatic conversion to glutamate by NAD(P)H-dependent pathways.Select 2-oxo-glutarate as the immediate precursor among the options. Verification / Alternative check: Biochemistry references confirm the alpha-ketoglutarate → glutamate step as the primary route, consistent with isotope-labeling studies in C. glutamicum. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Lysine: Another amino acid; not a precursor to glutamate. Oxoacetate (oxaloacetate): Precursor for aspartate family, not glutamate directly. Citrate: Earlier TCA intermediate; requires further conversion to 2-oxo-glutarate. Pyruvate: Central node but not the immediate donor to glutamate. Common Pitfalls: Confusing oxaloacetate (aspartate family) with alpha-ketoglutarate (glutamate family); overlooking nitrogen assimilation coupling. Final Answer: 2-oxo-glutarate

Industrially Useful Microbial Processes Questions