The photosynthetic microbes including microalgae and cyanobacteria are the most widespread photosynthetic organisms on Earth. These organisms thrive successfully in a wide range of ecological habitats, ranging from marine and freshwater to terrestrial environments. The short generation time and capability to fix the atmospheric N2 and cosmopolitan distribution make these organisms unique. Photosynthetic microbes such as cyanobacteria are used as biofertilizer for rice paddy and their application improves soil physico-chemical characteristics and the mineral nutrient status of the soil. However, in recent times they have been exploited for the production of several fine chemicals and biofuel. Due to their simple cellular organization, the bare minimum requirement of nutrients and ease of cultivation, recently the microalgae have been exploited and accompanied by the capacity to produce bio-energy, especially bio-diesel. Use of photosynthetic microbes in wastewater treatment has also generated considerable interest in the scientific community and industry at large. Bioremediation using photosynthetic microbes is an emerging area of research and the organisms accumulate or degrade several environmental contaminants and heavy metals. Because of the antagonistic properties, they are also a potential source of various bioactive compounds. In brief, the potential of photosynthetic microbes could be harnessed for economic viability and sustainability of agro-ecosystems. This book attempts to highlight the potential and prospects of the photosynthetic microbes for the welfare of mankind in view of the anticipated population explosion and global climate change.

Molecular Aspects of Plant Beneficial Microbes in Agriculture explores their diverse interactions, including the pathogenic and symbiotic relationship which leads to either a decrease or increase in crop productivity. Focusing on these environmentally-friendly approaches, the book explores their potential in changing climatic conditions. It presents the exploration and regulation of beneficial microbes in offering sustainable and alternative solutions to the use of chemicals in agriculture. The beneficial microbes presented here are capable of contributing to nutrient balance, growth regulators, suppressing pathogens, orchestrating immune response and improving crop performance. The book also offers insights into the advancements in DNA technology and bioinformatic approaches which have provided in-depth knowledge about the molecular arsenal involved in mineral uptake, nitrogen fixation, growth promotion and biocontrol attributes.

Unites a biological and a biotechnological perspective on cyanobacteria, and includes the industrial aspects and applications of cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria Biotechnology offers a guide to the interesting and useful features of cyanobacteria metabolism that keeps true to a biotechnology vision. In one volume the book brings together both biology and biotechnology to illuminate the core acpects and principles of cyanobacteria metabolism. Designed to offer a practical approach to the metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria, the book contains relevant examples of how this metabolic "module" is currently being engineered and how it could be engineered in the future. The author includes information on the requirements and real-world experiences of the industrial applications of cyanobacteria. This important book: Brings together biology and biotechnology in order to gain insight into the industrial relevant topic of cyanobacteria Introduces the key aspects of the metabolism of cyanobacteria Presents a grounded, practical approach to the metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria Offers an analysis of the requirements and experiences for industrial cyanobacteria Provides a framework for readers to design their own processes Written for biotechnologists, microbiologists, biologists, biochemists, Cyanobacteria Biotechnology provides a systematic and clear volume that brings together the biological and biotechnological perspective on cyanobacteria.

ROLE OF MICROBES IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES The book covers recent breakthroughs and highlights the major role microbes play in industrial products and processes. With the advent of industrial biotechnology, microbes became popular as cell factories, and with the recent advancements in recombinant DNA technology, the application of microorganisms in various sectors has increased enormously for the development of various processes and products. Role of Microbes in Industrial Products and Processes covers recent breakthroughs and highlights the major role microbes play in industrial products and processes. It mainly focuses on the bio-refinery concept where bio-energy production and wastewater treatment are done simultaneously using micro-algae. Additionally, this book describes the role of microbes involved in the production of various enzymes, organic acids, and bio-polymers. It also provides detailed insight on modeling and simulation of bioprocess for the production of sugar alcohol; recovery of value-added products from organic waste using microbes is also reported. Detailed insights into the treatment of wastewater released from various industries, especially pharmaceutical wastewater, are given. Audience The book is intended for researchers, scientists, and postgraduates in chemical/biochemical engineering and bioprocess engineering, and others working in the domain of food microbiology, bioenergy/refinery, waste valorization to value-added products, and microbial production of bioplastics, sugar alcohols, enzymes, and organic acids.

The use of microbial plant protection products is growing and their importance will strongly increase due to political and public pressure. World population is growing and the amount of food needed by 2050 will be double of what is produced now whereas the area of agricultural land is decreasing. We must increase crop yield in a sustainable way. Chemical plant growth promoters must be replaced by microbiological products. Also here, the use of microbial products is growing and their importance will strongly increase. A growing area of agricultural land is salinated. Global warming will increase this process. Plants growth is inhibited by salt or even made impossible and farmers tend to disuse the most salinated lands. Microbes have been very successfully used to alleviate salt stress of plants. Chemical pollution of land can make plant growth difficult and crops grown are often polluted and not suitable for consumption. Microbes have been used to degrade these chemical pollutants.

By covering both the general principles of bioconversion and the specific characteristics of the main groups of waste materials amenable to bioconversion methods, this new book provides the chemical, biochemical, agrochemical and process engineer with clear guidance on the use of these methods in devising a solution to the problem of industrial waste products.

Written by leading experts in their respective fields, Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology 3e, provides a comprehensive, balanced introduction to soil microbiology, and captures the rapid advances in the field such as recent discoveries regarding habitats and organisms, microbially mediated transformations, and applied environmental topics. Carefully edited for ease of reading, it aids users by providing an excellent multi-authored reference, the type of book that is continually used in the field. Background information is provided in the first part of the book for ease of comprehension. The following chapters then describe such fundamental topics as soil environment and microbial processes, microbial groups and their interactions, and thoroughly addresses critical nutrient cycles and important environmental and agricultural applications. An excellent textbook and desk reference, Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology, 3e, provides readers with broad, foundational coverage of the vast array of microorganisms that live in soil and the major biogeochemical processes they control. Soil scientists, environmental scientists, and others, including soil health and conservation specialists, will find this material invaluable for understanding the amazingly diverse world of soil microbiology, managing agricultural and environmental systems, and formulating environmental policy. - Includes discussion of major microbial methods, embedded within topical chapters - Includes information boxes and case studies throughout the text to illustrate major concepts and connect fundamental knowledge with potential applications - Study questions at the end of each chapter allow readers to evaluate their understanding of the materials

The book provides an overview on various microorganisms and their industrialization in energy conversion, such as ethanol fermentation, butanol fermentation, biogas fermentation and fossil energy conversion. It also covers microbial oil production, hydrogen production and electricity generation. The content is up to date and suits well for both researchers and industrial audiences.

The rapid increase in microbial resources along with the development of biotechnological methods has revolutionized the field of microbial biotechnology. Genome characterization methods and metagenomic approaches further illustrate the role of microorganisms in various fields of research. Recent Advancement in Microbial Biotechnology: Agricultural and Industrial Approach provides an overview on the recent application of the microorganisms in agricultural and industrial improvements. The purpose of this book is to integrate all these diverse areas of research in a common platform. Recent advancement in Microbial Biotechnology targets researchers from both academia and industry, professors and graduate students working in molecular biology, microbiology and biotechnology. - Gives insight in the exploration of microbial functional diversity in different systems - Highlights important microbes and their role in enhancing agricultural productivity - Provides understanding to the basics with advance information of microbial biotechnology - Explores the importance of microbial genomes studies in agricultural and industrial applications