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Actinobacteria are highly diverse prokaryotes that are ubiquitous in soil, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Although various studies have focused on the ecology of this phylum, data are still scant on the diversity, abundance and ecology of actinobacteria endemic to special and extreme environments, such as gut, plant, alkaline saline soil, deep sea sediments, hot springs and other habitats. Actinobacteria are well-known producers of a vast array of secondary metabolites, many of which have useful applications in medicine and agriculture. Furthermore, actinobacteria also have diverse functions in different environments apart from antibiotic production. For example, actinobacteria are report...
Digital technologies are rewriting our history, our society, our future and certainly one day they will rewrite life. A life that finds its way without too many constraints in the two worlds (digital and organic) with such ease and speed that it seemed important to me to trace, at least partially, its path, its impact. As I walked through the two spaces and species of progress, I was surprised, amazed and worried. Life is digitalized, like the Caenorhabditis Elegans: a small worm whose neural network’s complexity (the connectome) is now totally under control, and which can be fully simulated on a computer. From neural activation to behavior, we know almost everything about this tiny life form of just over a millimeter. The organic connects to the digital with or without wires, but always by opening new avenues. Men control insects with electrical impulses to make them run in the direction men wish. Men rewrite the genetic codes of life to simplify, arrange or synthesize it. Others are working to create a general artificial intelligence capable, at least, of equaling us.
Today, many economically important agricultural, horticultural and ornamental crop plants are attacked by various soil borne and foliar diseases, resulting in billions of dollars in crop losses. Currently, the most widely used disease management strategy is the use of chemical fungicides. However, the use of these fungicides has encountered problems, such as development of resistance by pathogen to fungicides and rapid degradation of the chemicals. Other factors leading to increased interest in alternatives include the increasing cost of soil fumigation, lack of suitable replacements for methyl bromide and public concerns over exposure to fungicides. Both the agriculture and agri-food sector...
With the advent of modern tools of molecular biology and genetic engineering and new skills in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, fermentation technology for industrial applications has developed enormously in recent years. Reflecting these advances, Fermentation Processes Engineering in the Food Industry explores the state of the art of the engineering technology aspects of fermentation processes in diverse food sectors. The book describes the benefits of fermented foods in human health in both dairy and non-dairy products and beverages. It examines applications of microalgae in the food industry and explains the application of metabolic engineering in the production of fermented ...
This book discusses microbial diversity in various habitats and environments, its role in ecosystem maintenance, and its potential applications (e.g. biofertilizers, biocatalysts, antibiotics, other bioactive compounds, exopolysaccharides etc.). The respective chapters, all contributed by renowned experts, offer cutting-edge information in the fields of microbial ecology and biogeography. The book explains the reasons behind the occurrence of various biogeographies and highlights recent tools (e.g. metagenomics) that can aid in biogeography studies by providing information on nucleic acid sequence data, thereby directly identifying microorganisms in various habitats and environments. In turn, the book describes how human intervention results in depletion of biodiversity, and how numerous hotspots are now losing their endemic biodiversity, resulting in the loss of many ecologically important microorganisms. In closing, the book underscores the importance of microbial diversity for sustainable ecosystems.
Microbial Biostimulants for Plant Growth, Development and Abiotic Stress Amelioration provides readers with insights into the major role of biostimulants in plant growth and development while under abiotic stress. The term biostimulants is broadly used to reference a group of diverse substances and microorganisms that stimulate life or that promote favorable plant responses. They stimulate natural processes to enhance/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality. Many biostimulants improve nutrition and they do so regardless of their own nutrient contents. Further, recently microbe-based biostimulants have emerged as important plant protectors under a range of adverse conditions. Microbial Biostimulants for Plant Growth, Development and Abiotic Stress Amelioration is the latest volume in the Biostimulants and Protective Biochemical Agents series. Presents the potential for more environmentally sustainable interventions against abiotic stresses Highlights the variety of applications for which biostimulants are proving effective Includes coverage of commercialization and role in addressing Sustainability Development Goals
Residues from agriculture and the food industry consist of many and varied wastes, in total accounting for over 250 million tonnes of waste per year in the UK alone. Biotechnological processing of these residues would allow these waste products to be used as a resource, with tremendous potential. An extensive range of valuable and usable products can be recovered from what was previously considered waste: including fuels, feeds and pharmaceutical products. In this way Biotechnology can offer many viable alternatives to the disposal of agricultural waste, producing several new products in the process. This book presents up-to-date information on a biotechnology approach for the utilisation of...
This reference book provides updated information on the production and industrial significance of bacterial cellulose. Bacterial cellulose is a natural fiber produced by certain microbes, mainly bacteria which belong to the Acetobacter genera. The book discusses its applications in different industrial sectors, such as food, pharmaceutical, energy, and wastewater treatment. It covers the production of cellulose from conventional and renewable feedstock and includes topics such as downstream processing, characterization, and chemical modification of bacterial cellulose. FEATURES: Addresses the challenges of the production technologies of bacterial cellulose up to pilot scale Discusses cost-effective green processes using agri-processing residues and medium formulation Includes efficient preparation of nanocomposites using in vitro and in vivo methods Provides the latest applications of bacterial cellulose in the food and pharmaceuticals fields Reviews the production of bacterial cellulose from conventional feedstock such as sugars and starches This book is designed for industry experts and researchers of applied microbiology, bioprocesses, and industrial microbiology.
Contributed papers presented at the 3rd conference jointly organized by ICBF Forum and Biotech Research Society of India on Nov. 6-8, 2008 at Hyderabad, India.