Frost-minus bacteria protect the vegetative parts of plants from frost damage. Infecting nonleguminous plants with genetically engineered nitrogen-fixing bacteria might reduce fertilizer needed on agricultural fields. Transgenic bacteria perform bioremediation. Bacteria selected for ability to degrade oil can be improved by genetic engineering. Bacteria can be biofilters to prevent airborne chemical pollutants from being vented into the air.
Bacteria can also remove sulfur from coal before it is burned and help clean up toxic dumps.
Transgenic bacteria produce chemical products. We can manipulate genes coding for enzymes to catalyze synthesis of valuable chemicals. Phenylalanine used in aspartame sweetener can be grown by engineered bacteria. Transgenic bacteria process minerals. Electric current makes tiny holes in a plasma membrane through which genetic material enters.