Saprophytic, Symbiotic and Parasitic Bacteria: Importance to Environment, Biotechnological Applications and Biocontrol

Microbial communities have a vast importance to the ecosystem being of use by humans for health or industrial purposes. Most bacteria can be distinguished into three groups: saprophytic; symbiotic and parasitic. Saprophytic bacteria, which are the major decomposers of organic matter, can be applied in treatment of metalliferous mine, radioactive environmental wastes, biodiesel production, among others. Symbiotic bacteria live in a mutually beneficial association with other organisms providing essential nutrients to their host organisms. However, some bacteria are able to cause diseases (i.e, parasitic bacteria also referred to as pathogens). To control the growth of these parasitic bacteria, antimicrobial peptides and polypeptides such as lectins are promising raw materials for the production of new antibiotics. Lectins are able to interact with carbohydrates in bacterial cell walls and promote antibacterial activity. The aim of this review was to describe the importance of bacteria to environments, their use as biological control agents and the application of lectins to control pathogenic bacteria.