This three-volume set is a desirable reference for a wide range of specialists who study secondary fungal metabolites ranging from pharmaceutical house researchers, agricultural researchers, those involved in food and feed control regulation, and veterinary researchers. It discusses in depth the molecular formula of, the molecular weights of, and fungal/plant source indexes of secondary fungal metabolites.

The purpose of this book was not to provide a comprehensive overview of the vast arena of how fungi and fungal metabolites are able to improve human and animal nutrition and health; rather, we, as Guest Editors, wished to encourage authors working in this field to publish their most recent work in this rapidly growing journal in order for the large readership to appreciate the full potential of wonderful and beneficial fungi. Thus, this Special Issue welcomed scientific contributions on applications of fungi and fungal metabolites, such as bioactive fatty acids, pigments, polysaccharides, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc., with great potential in human and animal nutrition and health.

Microbiologists and soil scientists will find this study compelling reading. It focuses on the role of bacterial, fungal and plant secondary metabolites in soil ecosystems. Our understanding of the biological function of secondary metabolites is surprisingly limited, considering our knowledge of their structural diversity and pharmaceutical activity. This book reviews functional aspects of secondary metabolite production, with a focus on interactions among soil organisms.

Filamentous fungi have long been known for their ability to produce an enormous range of unusual chemical compounds known as secondary metabolites, many of which have potentially useful antibiotic or pharmacological properties. Recent focus on fungal genomics coupled with advances in detection and molecular manipulation techniques has galvanized a revitalization of this field. Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols is aimed at providing the key methodologies currently in use and necessary for accessing and exploiting the natural product information provided by the genomes of this large and varied kingdom. Written by active researchers in the field, the chapters deal with all the steps necessary, from optimization of fungal culture conditions for metabolite production, through rapid genome sequencing and bioinformatics, and genetic manipulations for functional analysis, to detection and testing of metabolites. In addition, chapters on basic science address approaches to the genetic regulation, protein biochemistry, and cellular localization of the biosynthetic pathways. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and hands-on, Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols encourages new investigators to enter the field and expands upon the expertise and range of skills of those already researching fungal natural products.

Fungi occupy an important place in the natural world, as non-photosynthetic organisms, they obtain their nutrients from the degradation of organic material. They use many of their secondary metabolites to secure a place in a competitive natural environment and to protect themselves from predation. The diverse structures, biosyntheses and biological activities of fungal metabolites have attracted chemists for many years. Fungi are ubiquitous and their activities affect many aspects of our daily lives whether it be as sources of pharmaceuticals and food or as spoilage organisms and the causes of.

Fungi have an integral role to play in the development of the biotechnology and biomedical sectors. The fields of chemical engineering, Agri-food,Biochemical, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical device development all employ fungal products, with fungal biomolecules currently used in a wide range of applications, ranging from drug development to food technology and agricultural biotechnology. Understanding the biology of different fungi in diverse ecosystems, as well as their biotropic interactions with other microorganisms, animals and plants, is essential to underpin effective and innovative technological developments. Fungal Biomolecules is a keystone reference, integrating branches of fungal product research into a comprehensive volume of interdisciplinary research. As such, it: reflects state-of-the-art research and current emerging issues in fungal biology and biotechnology reviews the methods and experimental work used to investigate different aspects of fungal biomolecules provides examples of the diverse applications of fungal biomolecules in the areas of food, health and the environment is edited by an experienced team, with contributions from international specialists This book is an invaluable resource for industry-based researchers, academic institutions and professionals working in the area of fungal biology and associated biomolecules for their applications in food technology, microbial and biochemical process, biotechnology, natural products, drug development and agriculture.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Fungal Endophytes in Plants" that was published in JoF

These chapters provide up-to-date information on nematophagous fungi, particularly those of the Orbiliaceae in Ascomycota, whose asexual states produce nematode-trapping devices. The authors consider fungal-nematode interactions, fossil fungi, the biodiversity, ecology and geographical distribution of nematode-trapping fungi, and their potential use in biocontrol of nematodes, all in detail. Nematode-trapping fungi with adhesive or mechanical hyphal traps are the main focus of this book which begins with an overview of the data on nematode-trapping fungi, including their taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution. Subsequent chapters expand upon the methods and techniques used to study these fascinating fungi. Keys for genera of Arthrobotrys, Drechslerella and Dactylellina, which include all reported species of predatory orbiliaceous fungi are presented and numerous species from these genera are morphologically described and illustrated. The ecology of nematode-trapping fungi is expertly presented: their occurrence and habitats, their geographical and seasonal distribution and the effects of soil conditions and nematode density on their distribution all feature amongst the relevant themes. Further chapters examine the use of nematode-trapping fungi in biological control and the authors consider nematicidal activities in detail, exploring the many compounds from fungi that feature in nematicidal activities and of course useful paths for further study on this topic. This is a highly informative and carefully presented book, providing scientific insight for scholars with an interest in fungi and in biological control of nematodes.