Beneficial Microorganisms Allies Role in Human Health, Agriculture, and Environmental Restoration - A Systematic Review

Chandrarohini Saravanan ¹, Nor Hazliana Harun ², Siti Salmah Noordin ²

This study emphasizes microbes’ vital roles in health, agriculture, and ecology, promoting sustainable innovations against antibiotic resistance and environmental degradation.

Abstract

Microorganisms are often introduced to us as threats, yet they quietly sustain the foundations of life in ways far more profound than most realize. This systematic review brings together current scientific evidence to explore how beneficial microbes influence human well-being, support agricultural resilience, and help restore ecological balance. Using a structured search across microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental science literature, we synthesized peer-reviewed studies that illuminate the diverse contributions of these microscopic partners. Across the human body, gut microbiota emerge as active collaborators—helping us digest nutrients, regulate immune responses, and even modulate neurochemical pathways linked to mood and cognition. In agriculture, plant–microbe relationships reveal a similar story of cooperation: soil microbes enhance nutrient uptake, strengthen plant defenses, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs, offering a pathway toward more sustainable food production. Environmental studies further highlight how microbes can break down pollutants, neutralize toxins, and revive damaged ecosystems through bioremediation and wastewater treatment processes. The evidence demonstrates that innovations such as probiotics, biofertilizers, and microbial bio-technologies are reshaping how we approach health, farming, and environmental protection. Ultimately, this review emphasizes the importance of shifting public perception—from viewing microbes solely as threats to recognizing them as essential allies. Appreciating these unseen partners allows us to harness their potential in building a healthier, more sustainable, and ecologically balanced future.

Keywords: Beneficial microorganisms; human health; gut microbiota; probiotics; plant–microbe interactions; sustainable agriculture; bioremediation; environmental restoration; microbial biotechnology

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