Nutritional Requirements of Microbes

Microorganism , especially bacteria, vary greatly in nutritional requirements from species to species.

Nutrition supplies the basic cell building requirements. Nutrition not only provides energy but also acts as precursor for growth of microorganism.

Some microbes have an unconditional need for preformed complex organic compounds while others can thrive with just a few inorganic substance as their sole nutritional requirements.

Some bacteria can utilize the nitrogen in air to form proteins and carbon dioxide in air to obtain energy or to form compounds from which they can then obtain energy.

Others can utilities simple inorganic, such as nitrates, as a source of nitrogen and relatively simple organic compounds such as lactates, as a source of energy.

Most of microbial species utilize simple monomeric substrates such as monosaccharides and amino acids, whereas others digest complex proteins and polysaccharides.

In nature, microbial populations are capable of growth on a variety of substrates.

Nearly all yeast can derive all their nitrogen from lysine, and amino acid.

Some bacteria may require complex organic compounds for growth, including amino acids, vitamin and traces of certain minerals.

Molds and yeast like bacteria, may require basic elements – carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur, oxygen and other metal ions as well as vitamin and other organic compound.

Carbon is the prime requirement of any organism Based on the source of carbon, microorganisms can be either autotrophs or heterotrophs. Autotrophs use carbon dioxide of the atmosphere as their source of carbon.
Nutritional Requirements of Microbes