Bacteria have been around since the beginning of time. Although they are ancient, we were not always aware of their existence and functions. When you think of bacteria, you generally think of nasty things covered in “yucky germs”. Ewww, sick !!!!!! This is not always the case. There are also helpful bacteria. Many things that we enjoy today depend on bacteria. Without bacteria, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy cheese and wine. It was only 142 years ago that scientists did not understand the connection between bacteria, infections, and illnesses. They did not sterilize their tools because they had no sense of microbiology or contamination; during the civil war, more men died from wounds than men killed in battle.

                 Bacteria are not bad or yucky. In most cases, they are essential. Do you enjoy pickles? Perhaps you enjoy wine or beer because you are over the age of 21. None of these excellent culinary discoveries would be in existence today if it wasn’t for Leuconostoc mesenteries. This is the name of a beneficial bacteria which is responsible for the fermentation of vegetation. It is in the bacilli class and the lactobacillales order.

                                                                                          (Written by Mauri Williams, edited by Sarah Doonan)