This book cover all types of microbe based polymers and their application in diverse sectors with special emphasis on agriculture. It collates latest research, methods, opinion, perspectives, and reviews dissecting the microbial origins of polymers, their production, design, and processing at industrial level, as well as improvements for specific industrial applications. Book also discusses recent advances in biopolymer production and their modification for amplifying the value. In addition, understanding of the microbial physiology and optimal conditions for polymer production are also explained. This compilation of scientific chapters on principles and practices of microbial polymers fosters the knowledge transfer among scientific communities, industries, and microbiologist and serves students, academicians, researchers for a better understanding of the nature of microbial polymers and application procedure for sustainable ecosystem

The NATO Advanced Research Workshop from which this book derives was conceived during Biotec-88, the Second Spanish Conference on Biotechnology, held at Barcelona in June 1988. The President of the Conference, Dr. Ricardo Guerrero, had arranged sessions on bacterial polymers which included lectures by five invited participants who, together with Dr. Guerrero, became the Organizing Committee for a projected meeting that would focus attention upon the increasing international importance of novel biodegradable polymers. The proposal found favour with the NATO Science Committee and, with Dr. R. Clinton Fuller and Dr. Robert W. Lenz as the co-Directors, Dr. Edwin A. Dawes as the Proceedings Editor, and Dr. Hans G. Schlegel, Dr. Alexander J.B. Zehnder and Dr. Ricardo Guerrero as members of the Organizing Committee, the meeting quickly took shape. To Dr. Guerrero we owe the happy choice of Sitges for the venue, a pleasant coastal resort 36 kilometres from Barcelona, which proved ideal. The sessions were held at the Palau de Maricel in appropriately impressive surroundings, and invaluable local support was provided by Mr. Jordi Mas-Castella and by Ms. Merce Piqueras. Much of the preparatory work fell upon the broad shoulders of Mr. Edward Knee, whose efforts are deeply appreciated. The Organizing Committee hopes that this Workshop will prove to be the first of a series which will aim to keep abreast of a rapidly expanding and exciting area of research that is highly relevant to environmental and industrial interests.

Environmental and Agricultural Microbiology Uniquely reveals the state-of-the-art microbial research/advances in the environment and agriculture fields Environmental and Agricultural Microbiology: Applications for Sustainability is divided into two parts which embody chapters on sustenance and life cycles of microorganisms in various environmental conditions, their dispersal, interactions with other inhabited communities, metabolite production, and reclamation. Though books pertaining to soil & agricultural microbiology/environmental biotechnology are available, there is a dearth of comprehensive literature on the behavior of microorganisms in the environmental and agricultural realm. Part 1 includes bioremediation of agrochemicals by microalgae, detoxification of chromium and other heavy metals by microbial biofilm, microbial biopolymer technology including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), their production, degradability behaviors, and applications. Biosurfactants production and their commercial importance are also systematically represented in this part. Part 2 having 9 chapters, facilitates imperative ideas on approaches for sustainable agriculture through functional soil microbes, next-generation crop improvement strategies via rhizosphere microbiome, production and implementation of liquid biofertilizers, mitigation of methane from livestock, chitinases from microbes, extremozymes, an enzyme from extremophilic microorganism and their relevance in current biotechnology, lithobiontic communities, and their environmental importance, have all been comprehensively elaborated. In the era of sustainable energy production, biofuel and other bioenergy products play a key role, and their production from microbial sources are frontiers for researchers. The final chapter unveils the importance of microbes and their consortia for management of solid waste in amalgamation with biotechnology Audience The book will be read by environmental microbiologists, biotechnologists, chemical and agricultural engineers.

This book provides an introductory and general overview of advances in polymers towards their employment as antimicrobial materials. The author describes current approaches for avoiding microbial contamination, toward macro-molecular antibiotics, and prevention of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by use of polymers. He establishes the remaining issues and analyzes existing methodologies for treating bacterial infections and for preparing antimicrobial materials.

Long-chain polymers from many seaweeds, microscopic algae, and bacteria have been demonstrated to reduce turbulent-flow friction in water. In the investigation all water samples tested from inland and marine sources gained friction-reduction ability when enriched with sugar, as a consequence of polysaccharide synthesis by bacteria. Biological polymers, therefore, are the probable cause of the unexplainable variations in hydrodynamic test facilities. Bacterial polysaccharides were more effective than seaweed extracts at low concentrations for friction reduction, but both were much less effective than synthetic polymers. Turbulent-flow frictional measurements were found to be sensitive for the detection, measurement, and partial characterization of long-chain polymers. (Author).

Due to the possibility that petroleum supplies will be exhausted in the next decades to come, more and more attention has been paid to the production of bacterial pl- tics including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), biopolyethylene (PE), poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), and poly(p-phenylene) (PPP). These are well-studied polymers containing at least one monomer synthesized via bacterial transformation. Among them, PHA, PLA and PBS are well known for their biodegradability, whereas PE, PTT and PPP are probably less biodegradable or are less studied in terms of their biodegradability. Over the past years, their properties and appli- tions have been studied in detail and products have been developed. Physical and chemical modifications to reduce their cost or to improve their properties have been conducted. PHA is the only biopolyester family completely synthesized by biological means. They have been investigated by microbiologists, molecular biologists, b- chemists, chemical engineers, chemists, polymer experts, and medical researchers for many years. PHA applications as bioplastics, fine chemicals, implant biomate- als, medicines, and biofuels have been developed. Companies have been est- lished for or involved in PHA related R&D as well as large scale production. It has become clear that PHA and its related technologies form an industrial value chain in fermentation, materials, feeds, and energy to medical fields.

Presents the many recent innovations and advancements in the field of biotechnological processes This book tackles the challenges and potential of biotechnological processes for the production of new industrial ingredients, bioactive compounds, biopolymers, energy sources, and compounds with commercial/industrial and economic interest by performing an interface between the developments achieved in the recent worldwide research and its many challenges to the upscale process until the adoption of commercial as well as industrial scale. Bioprocessing for Biomolecules Production examines the current status of the use and limitation of biotechnology in different industrial sectors, prospects for development combined with advances in technology and investment, and intellectual and technical production around worldwide research. It also covers new regulatory bodies, laws and regulations, and more. Chapters look at biological and biotechnological processes in the food, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries; research and production of microbial PUFAs; organic acids and their potential for industry; second and third generation biofuels; the fermentative production of beta-glucan; and extremophiles for hydrolytic enzymes productions. The book also looks at bioethanol production from fruit and vegetable wastes; bioprocessing of cassava stem to bioethanol using soaking in aqueous ammonia pretreatment; bioprospecting of microbes for bio-hydrogen production; and more. Provides up to date information about the advancements made on the production of important biotechnological ingredients Complete visualization of the general developments of world research around diverse products and ingredients of technological, economic, commercial and social importance Investigates the use and recovery of agro-industrial wastes in biotechnological processes Includes the latest updates from regulatory bodies for commercialization feasibility Offering new products and techniques for the industrial development and diversification of commercial products, Bioprocessing for Biomolecules Production is an important book for graduate students, professionals, and researchers involved in food technology, biotechnology; microbiology, bioengineering, biochemistry, and enzymology.

Handbook of Microbial Nanotechnology is a collection of the most recent scientific advancements in the fundamental application of microbial nanotechnology across various sectors. This comprehensive handbook highlights the vast subject areas of microbial nanotechnology and its potential applications in food, pharmacology, water, environmental remediation, etc. This book will serve as an excellent reference handbook for researchers and students in the food sciences, materials sciences, biotechnology, microbiology and in the pharmaceutical fields.Microbial nanotechnology is taking part in creating development and innovation in various sectors. Despite the participation of microbial nanotechnology in modern development, there are some hindrances. The lack of information, the possibility of adverse impacts on the environment, human health, safety and sustainability are still a challenge. This handbook addresses these challenges. - Offers up-to-date, scientific information on the integration of microbiology and nanotechnology - Explores how nanotechnology can improve the detection of trace chemical contaminants, viruses and bacteria in food and other industry applications - Provides readers with a fundamental understanding of microbial nanotechnology and its challenges - Includes real-time applications with case studies to illustrate how microbial nanotechnology influences modern sciences and technologies

Microbial systems have a strong potential to develop green and sustainable technologies, including sources of renewable energy, alternative fuels, and biosynthetic materials for sustainable applications. Advances in these technologies are evolving to meet growing demand and industries are adapting to green technologies such as solar panels, bioethanol, hydroponics, and more. With the aid of sophisticated technology and integration strategies, these industries are moving toward being more environmentally friendly and sustainable. This book serves as a guide to the newest technologies that will enable the implementation of microbial technologies in fostering an eco-friendly industrial and environmental landscape, which will have widely positive impacts for generations to come. Provides recent insights on diverse technologies involved in green technologies Explains the application of microbes via fungi to remediate pollutants and examines the latest treatment technologies in bioleaching and electronic waste treatment Provides updated information on bioenergy and flexible fungal materials as alternatives to plastics Discusses the application of IOT and communication electronics in the development of green technologies

This book is a comprehensive introduction to "green" or environmentally friendly polymer composites developed using renewable polymers of natural origin such as starch, lignin, cellulose acetate, poly-lactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxylalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxylbutyrate (PHB), etc., and the development of modern technologies for preparing green composites with various applications. The book also discusses major applications of green polymer composites in industries such as medicine, biotechnology, fine chemicals and engineering.