"No organisms are more important to life as we know it than algae. In Slime, Ruth Kassinger gives this under-appreciated group its due." --Elizabeth Kolbert Say "algae" and most people think of pond scum. What they don't know is that without algae, none of us would exist. There are as many algae on Earth as stars in the universe, and they have been essential to life on our planet for eons. Algae created the Earth we know today, with its oxygen-rich atmosphere, abundant oceans, and coral reefs. Crude oil is made of dead algae, and algae are the ancestors of all plants. Today, seaweed production is a multi-billion dollar industry, with algae hard at work to make your sushi, chocolate milk, beer, paint, toothpaste, shampoo and so much more. In Slime we'll meet the algae innovators working toward a sustainable future: from seaweed farmers in South Korea, to scientists using it to clean the dead zones in our waterways, to the entrepreneurs fighting to bring algae fuel and plastics to market. With a multitude of lively, surprising science and history, Ruth Kassinger takes readers on an around-the-world, behind-the-scenes, and into-the-kitchen tour. Whether you thought algae was just the gunk in your fish tank or you eat seaweed with your oatmeal, Slime will delight and amaze with its stories of the good, the bad, and the up-and-coming.

"Featuring hundreds of new illustrations, a new chapter (23) on terrestrial algae, and through classification updates, Algae, Second Edition is the indispensable guide for studying algae. With an emphasis on algae ecology and molecular biology, the authors focus on what readers really want to know about algae - why they are so diverse; how they are related; how to distinguish the major types; their roles in food webs; how we utilize them, and more. This text also provides broad coverage of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial algae."--Jacket.

The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.

A single-source reference on the biology of algae, Algae: Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, Second Edition examines the most important taxa and structures for freshwater, marine, and terrestrial forms of algae. Its comprehensive coverage goes from algae's historical role through its taxonomy and ecology to its natural product possibilities. The authors have gathered a significant amount of new material since the publication of the first edition. This completely revised second edition contains many changes and additions including the following: All revised and rewritten tables, plus new figures, many in color A fascinating new chapter: Oddities and Curiosities in the Algal World Expanded information on algal anatomy Absorption spectra from all algal divisions, chlorophylls, and accessory pigments Additional information on collection, storage, and preservation of algae Updated section on algal toxins and algal bioactive molecules The book's unifying theme is on the important role of algae in the earth's self-regulating life support system and its function within restorative models of planetary health. It also discusses algae's biotechnological applications, including potential nutritional and pharmaceutical products. Written for students as well as researchers, teachers, and professionals in the field of phycology and applied phycology, this new full-color edition is both illuminating and inspiring.

Microalgae in Health and Disease Prevention is a comprehensive reference that addresses the historical and potential use of microalgae, its extracts, secondary metabolites, and molecular constituents for enhancing human health and preventing diseases. Each chapter features an overview, and the book includes coverage of microalgae biology, harmful algae, the use of microalgae in alcohol and food, and as sources of macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The historical use of microalgae, in addition to its potential use as a nutraceutical and cosmeceutical, is also addressed. The book provides coverage of relevant, up-to-date research as assembled by a group of contributors who are dedicated to the advancement of microalgae use in health, diet and nutrition. Discusses research findings on the relationship between microalgal diet, nutrition and human health Presents the medicinal, anti-allergic and psychoactive properties of microalgae Identifies toxic and harmful microalgae Addresses microalgal lipids, proteins and carbohydrates

Algae Materials: Applications Benefitting Health offers a comprehensive analysis of biosensors, algae materials for clinical applications, algae polymers, proteins and pigments, algae for food applications and packaging, blue economy, algae forming, cosmetics, and more. The book enlists the less explored areas of algal bioproducts, including how the application of genetic engineering is currently used to enhance bioproducts. Even though there are numerous reviews and scattered documents available, there are some recent fields yet to explore. - Offers a comprehensive analysis of biosensors, algae materials for clinical applications, algae polymers, proteins and pigments, algae for food applications and packaging - Enlists the less explored areas of algal bioproducts like how applications of genetic engineering are used to enhance bioproducts - Includes recent findings and often excluded areas in microalgae research available in a single source

Today's planet faces several critical problems such as resource depletion, environmental destruction, and climate change that affect all areas of life as we know it. Figuring out how to address these issues and prioritizing Earth’s health has been at the forefront of study as it is a key issue that affects us all. One element that requires further investigation is algae regarding its potential for creating a more sustainable future across the food, energy, and environmental sectors. The Handbook of Research on Algae as a Sustainable Solution for Food, Energy, and the Environment provides insight into the biotechnological and biorefinery aspects of algae together with their unique applications in the agriculture and pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, this book considers the biological and biotechnological processes happening in the cultivation and harvesting of algae, DNA sequencing, and genomics of algae. Moreover, it examines the bio-remediation aspects of algae and its utilization to produce biofuels, methane, hydrogen, and other useful renewable sources of energy, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability. Covering topics such as cell biology and food science, this reference work is ideal for academicians, researchers, industry professionals, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.

This book presents the dynamic role of algae in a sustainable environment. Two major aspects, namely bioenergy and bioremediation, have been elaborated in various chapter contributed by scientists and teachers from different geographical areas throughout the world. Algal biofuels is an emerging area of equal interest to researchers, industries, and policy makers working or focusing on alternative (i.e. renewable) fuels. Algae have been an area of interest due to their wide range of applications. Over the last 5 decades, eukaryotic algae have been used in the aquaculture industry as feed for invertebrates, providing a rich source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, minerals and protein. More recently, there has been a focus on the use of algal biomass in the development of alternative fuels. The extraction of oil from algae has been widely explored as a much more viable feedstock than plant-based oils in large-scale fuel production. using algae as feedstock has the advantages that it doesn’t require arable land and that wastewater can be used as a source of nutrients in their culture. The multifunctional approach of algae includes pollution remediation, carbon sequestration, biofuels production, and delivery of value-added products. However, there are still some obstacles that need to be overcome to make their use as potential feedstock for biofuels techno-economically feasible. In order to maintain the sustainability aspect of algal biofuels, various aspects have to be studied and critically analyzed to assess the long-term sustainability of algal derived biofuels. This book discusses the role of algae as a promising future feedstock for biofuels. They are known to sequester carbon in much larger amounts than plants and as such the book also describes their phycoremediation potential for conventional as well as emerging contaminants. It describes the role of anaerobic digestion in algal biorefineries; bioreactions and process parameters; biogas recovery and reuse. The role of algal biofilm based technology in wastewater treatment and transforming waste into bio-products is discussed, and remediation of sewage water through algae is assessed. The book also describes the production of biohydrogen, bio-oil, biodiesel; and the major bottlenecks in their usage. The emerging characterization techniques of these biofuels (bio-oil and biodiesel) are described, as are the decolorizing potential of algae and the genetic engineering techniques that could enhance the production of lipids in algae. Other aspects of the book include the role of remote sensing technology in the monitoring of algae and a life cycle assessment of algal biofuels.