Match the microbial product (Column I) with its respective application (Column II).
Column I: P. Methane; Q. Glycolipids; R. Polyhydroxy alkanoate
Column II: 1. Biosurfactant; 2. Bioplastic; 3. Biofuel
P-1, Q-2, R-3
P-2, Q-1, R-3
P-3, Q-2, R-1
P-3, Q-1, R-2
ANSWER
The correct matching is P-3, Q-1, R-2, which is option (D).
Official answer: DSource: Official answer key, GATE 2022 BT (IIT Kharagpur)
Methane (P) is produced by methanogenic archaea during anaerobic digestion and is burned for energy, so it is a biofuel. P matches 3. This rules out options A (P-1) and B (P-2).
Glycolipids (Q), such as rhamnolipids made by Pseudomonas and sophorolipids made by yeasts, have a hydrophilic sugar head and a hydrophobic fatty-acid tail. They lower surface and interfacial tension, so they are biosurfactants. Q matches 1.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (R), such as polyhydroxybutyrate, are storage polyesters made by bacteria such as Ralstonia and Bacillus. They are biodegradable thermoplastics, so they are bioplastics. R matches 2.
The full matching is P-3, Q-1, R-2. Option C fails because it pairs glycolipids with bioplastic and PHA with biosurfactant. Option D is the only option that matches all three pairs, so it is correct.
KEY IDEA
Match each microbial product to its main use. Methane is a biofuel, glycolipids are biosurfactants, and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are bioplastics.
WATCH OUT FOR
Pairing glycolipids with bioplastic because both are lipid-like or polymer-like, or pairing PHA with biosurfactant. PHA is a polyester storage polymer used for plastics. Glycolipids are amphiphilic molecules used to lower surface tension.
From the GATE 2022 BT paper. Every question of this paper · Download the full paper · All 4 Microbial products questions, with notes
