Petroleum hydrocarbons are both a product of, and rich substrate for, microorganisms from across all Domains of life. Rooted deeply in the history of microbiology, hydrocarbons have been studied as sources of carbon and energy for microorganisms for over a century. As global demand for petroleum and its refined products continues to rise, so do challenges associated with environmental pollution, oil well souring, infrastructure corrosion, oil recovery, transport, refining, and upgrading of heavy crude oils and bitumens. Advances in genomics, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering has invigorated interest in petroleum microbial biotechnology as interest grows in technologies for in situ methane production, biodesulfurization and biodenitrogenation, bio-upgrading of heavy crudes, microbial enhanced oil recovery, corrosion control, and biocatalysts for generating value-added products. Given the complexity of the global petroleum industry and the harsh conditions in which it operates, a deeper understanding of the ecophysiology of aerobic and anaerobic microbial communities that have associations with petroleum hydrocarbons is needed if robust technologies are to be deployed successfully. This research topic highlights recent advances in microbial enhanced oil recovery, methanogenic hydrocarbon metabolism and carbon dioxide sequestration, bioremediation, microbiologically influenced corrosion, biodesulfurization, and the application of metagenomics to better understand microbial communities associated with petroleum hydrocarbons.

The microbial world has given us many surprises including microbes that grow under extremely harsh conditions (122C at 40 MPa), novel metabolisms such as the uranium and perchlorate reduction, and novel chemicals that can be used to control diseases. We continually face new and difficult problems such as the need to transition to more carbon-neutral energy sources and to find eco-friendly chemicals and to find new drugs to treat disease. Will it be possible to tap into the seemingly limitless potential of microbial activity to solve our current and future problems?The answer to this question is probably yes. We are already looking to the microbial world to provide new energy sources, green chemicals to replace those made from petroleum, and new drugs to fight disease. To help us along these paths, we are deciphering how microorganisms interact with each other. We know that microbial populations interact and communicate with each other. The language that microbes use is chemical where small molecules are exchanged among different microbial cells. Sometimes, these chemicals suppress activities of competitors and could be used as antibiotics or may have other therapeutic uses. Other times, the chemicals stimulate complex responses in microbial populations such as fruiting body or biofilm formation. By understanding the conversation that microbes are having among themselves, e. g.

Introduction to Petroleum Biotechnology introduces the petroleum engineer to biotechnology, bringing together the various biotechnology methods that are applied to recovery, refining and remediation in the uses of petroleum and petroleum products. A significant amount of petroleum is undiscoverable in reservoirs today using conventional and secondary methods. This reference explains how microbial enhanced oil recovery is aiding to produce more economical and environmentally-friendly metabolic events that lead to improved oil recovery. Meanwhile, in the downstream side of the industry, petroleum refining operators are facing the highest levels of environmental regulations while struggling to process more of the heavier crude oils since conventional physical and chemical refining techniques may not be applicable to heavier crudes. This reference proposes to the engineer and refining manager the concepts of bio-refining applications to not only render heavier crudes as lighter crudes through microbial degradation, but also through biodenitrogenation, biodemetallization and biodesulfurization, making more petroleum derivatives purified and upgraded without the release of more pollutants. Equipped for both upstream and downstream to learn the basics, this book is a necessary primer for today's petroleum engineer. - Presents the fundamentals behind petroleum biotechnology for both upstream and downstream oil and gas operations - Provides the latest technology in reservoir recovery using microbial enhanced oil recovery methods - Helps readers gain insight into the current and future application of using biotechnology as a refining and fuel blending method for heavy oil and tar sands

In situ bioremediationâ€"the use of microorganisms for on-site removal of contaminantsâ€"is potentially cheaper, faster, and safer than conventional cleanup methods. But in situ bioremediation is also clouded in uncertainty, controversy, and mistrust. This volume from the National Research Council provides direction for decisionmakers and offers detailed and readable explanations of: the processes involved in in situ bioremediation, circumstances in which it is best used, and methods of measurement, field testing, and modeling to evaluate the results of bioremediation projects. Bioremediation experts representing academic research, field practice, regulation, and industry provide accessible information and case examples; they explore how in situ bioremediation works, how it has developed since its first commercial use in 1972, and what research and education efforts are recommended for the future. The volume includes a series of perspective papers. The book will be immediately useful to policymakers, regulators, bioremediation practitioners and purchasers, environmental groups, concerned citizens, faculty, and students.

This edited book, is a collection of 25 chapters describing the recent advancements in the application of microbial technology in the food and pharmacology sector. The main focus of this book is application of microbes, food preservation techniques utilizing microbes, probiotics, seaweeds, algae, enzymatic abatement of urethane in fermentation of beverages, bioethanol production, pesticides, probiotic biosurfactants, drought tolerance, synthesis of application of oncolytic viruses in cancer treatment, microbe based metallic nanoparticles, agro chemicals, endophytes, metabolites, antibiotics etc. This book highlighted the significant aspects of the vast subject area of microbial biotechnology and their potential applications in food and pharmacology with various topics from eminent experts around the World. This book would serve as an excellent reference book for researchers and students in the Food Science, Food Biotechnology, Microbiology and Pharmaceutical fields.

This book is one of a kind in the field of petroleum biorefining and biological upgrade of petroleum; it presents a critical review as well as an integrated overview of the potential biochemical processes, bridging the gap between academia and industry. It addresses today's demanding production challenges, taking into account energy efficient and environmentally friendly processes, and also looks at the future possibility of implementing new refinery systems. Suitable for those practitioners the petroleum industry, students and researchers interested in petroleum biotechnology.* Covers a new application field for biotechnology* Looks at innovative processes for the petroleum industry* Presents examples of modern environmental processes

Here is the first comprehensive reference to examine microbial surface active agents (biosurfactants)and biological emulsifiers as applied in biotechnology and other industries.Biosurfactants and Biotechnology highlights state-of-the-art uses of these agents, and incorporatesa wealth of ideas for future research and development related to feedstocks, production,and processing. The book delineates the chemistry, biochemistry, mechanisms, and propertiesof biosurfactants and biological emulsifiers .. . critically assesses their role in enhanced oil recoveryand other industrial applications . .. and includes numerous references to the literature.Biosurfactants and Biotechnology is an invaluable guide for physical, surface, and colloidchemists working on or with surfactants, interfacial phenomena, and cell-surface physiology ;petrochemical, chemical, biochemical, petroleum, and pollution control engineers; pharmacologists,cosmetic scientists, food scientists, and microbiologists. It is also an important resourcefor graduate students in these fields.

Human actions across the past few centuries have led to a depletion of the world's natural energy sources, as well as large scale environmental degradation. In the context of these current global issues, this book covers the latest research on the application and use of microbes in topical areas such as bioremediation and biofuels. With chapters covering environmental clean-up, microbial fuel cells and biohydrogen, it provides a comprehensive discussion of the latest developments in the field of microbe utilization.

In this volume, experts from universities, government labs and industry share their findings on the microbiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of biodegradation and bioremediation. The text covers numerous topics, including: bioavailability, biodegradation of various pollutants, microbial community dynamics, properties and engineering of important biocatalysts, and methods for monitoring bioremediation processes. Microbial processes are environmentally compatible and can be integrated with non-biological processes to detoxify, degrade and immobilize environmental contaminants.

Incorporates the Experiences of World-Class Researchers Microbial Biotechnology: Progress and Trends offers a theoretical take on topics that relate to microbial biotechnology. The text uses the "novel experimental experiences" of various contributors from around the world—designed as case studies—to highlight relevant topics, issues, and recent developments surrounding this highly interdisciplinary field. It factors in metagenomics and microbial biofuels production, and incorporates major contributions from a wide range of disciplines that include microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemical engineering, and bioprocess engineering. In addition, it also provides a variety of photos, diagrams, and tables to help illustrate the material. The book consists of 15 chapters and contains subject matter that addresses: Microbial biotechnology from its historical roots to its different processes Some of the new developments in upstream processes Solid-state fermentation as an interesting field in modern fermentation processes Recent developments in the production of valuable microbial products such as biofuels, organic acids, amino acids, probiotics, healthcare products, and edible biomass Important microbial activities such as biofertilizer, biocontrol, biodegradation, and bioremediation Students, scientists, and researchers can benefit from Microbial Biotechnology: Progress and Trends, a resource that addresses biotechnology, applied microbiology, bioprocess/fermentation technology, healthcare/pharmaceutical products, food innovations/food processing, plant agriculture/crop improvement, energy and environment management, and all disciplines related to microbial biotechnology.