• Question: how could we use bacteria to solve world hunger ?

    Asked by to Gemma on 16 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Gemma Marsden

      Gemma Marsden answered on 16 Jun 2014:

      We already use bacteria (and other microbes) to make food. Bread is made by using yeast, as is beer and cheese. We use bacteria to make products such as cheese and yoghurt.
      We also have many bacteria in our guts that breakdown the food we ingest.
      Bacteria themselves though are not a good food source. We would be unable to get nutrients from them and also they may cause us harm!
      Unfortunately many of the bacteria that make us ill, we take in with our food such as E.coli and Salmonella.
      On the plus side, there are scientists who are trying to use bacteria as fuel sources ….so indirectly that will help solve world hunger.

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