Microbes help maintain the balance of living organisms and chemicals in our environment. They also play an important role in photosynthesis. It's used in chemical products such as acetone, organic acids, enzymes, alcohols, and many drugs. Additionally it is used in the food industry producing vinegar, sauerkraut, pickles, alcoholic beverages, green olives, soy sauce, buttermilk, cheese, yogurt, and bread. Enzymes from microbes produce substances that do not synthesize like cellulose, digestive aids, drain cleaner, and insulin.