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Comprehensive discussion of production and purification strategies for microbial enzymes important to various industries, from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals Microbial Enzymes provides expert insight into diverse aspects of microbial enzymes, highlighting strategies for their production, purification, and manipulation, elucidating eco-friendly industrial applications, and discussing several production processes, such as the production of cellulose and non-synthetic indigo dye. This book emphasizes recent technological interventions in microbial enzyme technology like metagenomics, system biology, molecular biology, genomics, directed evolution, and bioinformatics. The important microbial enzymes highlighted in this book include xylanases, ureases, methane monooxygenase, polyhydroxyalkanoates, pectinases, peroxidases, α-L-rhamnosidase, alkane hydroxylases, laccases, proteases, gallic acid decarboxylase, chitinases, beta-glucosidase, lipases, inulinases, tannase, mycozyme, ACC deaminase, ligninolytic enzymes, and many more. Novel treatment methods involving strains of microorganisms with desirable properties applicable in the process of bioremediation through mitigating climate concern, increasing green production technology, improving agriculture productivity, and providing a means of earning a livelihood are discussed. Readers will also gain state-of-the-art background knowledge on existing technologies and their current challenges and future prospects. Contributed to by leading experts in the field and edited by four highly qualified academics, Microbial Enzymes explores important topics including: Strategies for the discovery and enhancement of enzyme function, and potentials of system biology to better understand the kinetics of industrially important enzymesProduction and therapeutic applications of monoclonal antibodies in cancer and other diseases, and characterization of tannase as a virulence factorOpportunities to produce enzymes through food waste and byproducts, and recent developments in computational toolsUse of Omics tools in the discovery of fungal enzymes and secondary metabolites Microbial Enzymes is a thorough and highly practical reference on the subject for students, scientists, biotechnologists, microbiologists, and policymakers working in environmental microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.

This book includes the impact, compression, vibration studies, and destructive and nondestructive techniques for bruise measurement. It is essential to detect bruises in the early stages of their formation and conduct a quantitative analysis of the degree of bruising, to ensure the accurate grading of bruised fruits and vegetables and reduce unnecessary economic losses. Bruise damage occurring between the point of harvest and consumption contributes the most to the decrease in fruit quality, reducing the market value and ultimately leading to significant reductions in potential revenue. SDG 12.3 aims to “by 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.” This book presents recent technological developments in bruise measurement, detection, and analysis of fresh horticultural produce. Given the rising demand for rapid and accurate methods of quality measurement in the horticultural produce industry, this book covers destructive and nondestructive techniques for bruise measurement. Selected applications of different nondestructive methods for various fresh produce commodities are also included. This book will interest graduate and undergraduate students, researchers, academics and engineers working in different aspects of the mechanical damage affected by postharvest handling practices, professionals working in the governments, and other authorities related to fresh horticultural produce quality, regulations, and safety.

Microbial oxidative enzymes are in need of today and in the future also. Several microbial oxidative enzymes are being used by various sectors like food, agriculture, medicine, detergents, leather, paper, etc. Microbial oxidative enzymes are a natural product, hence, the application of these enzymes is eco-friendly. Oxidative enzymes from microbes like bacteria, and fungi will be helpful in numerous applications including plant-soil health management, and waste treatments. This book will be more informative as well as useful for related industries and end users and will be of great value to those interested in present-day research on oxidation-reduction enzymes. In the coming years, this book will be a game changer for the field of oxidative enzyme development and its applications.

A holistic approach covering a wide range of environmental microbial applications along with current and future trends In Microbial Biotechnology: Role in Ecological Sustainability and Research, a team of distinguished researchers delivers an authoritative overview of the role of microbial biotechnology in the pursuit of environmental and ecological sustainability. The book provides readers with compelling presentations of microbial technology, including its applications in the removal of environmental pollutants, and sustainable agriculture using microbial biocontrol agents or bio-fertilizers. Readers will also be able to explore the microbial reduction of greenhouse gases and a wide range of other cutting-edge applications, including the removal of various toxic environmental contaminants, such as antibiotics, pesticides, dyes, and heavy metals. Microbial Biotechnology provides: A thorough introduction to microorganisms, their metabolic engineering, the human microbiome, and other foundational topics An in-depth exploration of environmental management, including bioremediation through a nexus approach A fulsome treatment of current trends in microbial biotechnology and its role in sustainable productionPerfect for professionals in applied microbiology, biotechnology, environmental engineering, green chemistry, and soil science, Microbial Biotechnology: Role in Ecological Sustainability and Research will also earn a place in the libraries of research scholars, scientists, and academicians with an interest in environmental microbiology and ecology.

This book delves into the anthropogenic activities responsible for environmental hazards, their compensation, and potential mitigation strategies. It sheds light on the major contributors to the climate change issues aggravated by non-sustainable practices for the overexploitation of natural resources. Critical topics such as high emissions in primary mining, the recovery of energy-critical metals by urban mining, solid waste management, and forest conservation are explored, offering insights into the urgent challenges we face.Amidst the rapid demand for resources and the expansion of human habitats, the book emphasizes the need for new approaches to natural resource management and introspection of our actions. Experts in the field discuss existing anthropogenic environmental hazards in detail, alongside environmental compensation, and effective mitigation approaches.The book begins with a chapter dedicated to risk assessment in primary mining activities for precious metals, proposing potential routes for mitigation. Chapter 2 focuses on assessing and mitigating the environmental footprints of energy-critical metals used in permanent magnets. In Chapter 3, a case study examines sustainable resource utilization through end-of-life room air conditioner recycling. Additional chapters provide critical insights into:The environmental impacts of e-waste and government policies for responsible managementHazards associated with industrial effluents and corresponding mitigation strategiesThe role of roadside plants in phytoremediation of heavy metal pollutionSustainable utilization of anthropogenic coal fly ash through mechanical and chemical activationEnvironmental damages resulting from the mismanagement of municipal solid wasteEnvironmental problems and remediation strategies for anthropogenic biomass wasteChallenges in sustainable municipal solid waste management and suggestionsfor environmental risk mitigation The book concludes with a chapter discussing collaborative governance and non-monetary compensation mechanisms for sustainable forest management. Given its breadth, this book serves as an indispensable resource for researchers, policymakers, and environmental professionals seeking sustainable approaches to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

This book provides an overview of biosurfactants as biobased compounds, and highlights novel applications in several industries, including biotech, food processing, cosmetic, oil recovery/petroleum, pharmaceutical, detergent and textile. In the past few decades, biosurfactants have emerged as promising alternative surface-active agents to chemical surfactants due to their high biodegradability, low toxicity, multi-functionality under extreme pH and temperature conditions, long-term physicochemical stability, and their production from renewable sources. This book presents the fundamental aspects (classification, structure, genetics, and properties) of biosurfactants and how their features contribute to the global bioeconomy. Chapters from expert contributors discuss the latest screening, purification and characterization methods of new biosurfactants and biosurfactant-producing fungi and bacteria, including extremophiles. Particular attention is given to the role of biosurfactants in the formulation of sustainable agrochemicals, and their application as eco-friendly mosquitocidal agents, and biopesticides. Readers will discover a perspective on the antiviral activity of biosurfactants, in which the latest in vitro and in silico studies are discussed. Readers will also find more about the foremost therapeutic attributes of biosurfactant-mediated nanoparticles as next-generation drug delivery systems. Given its breadth, this book appeals to a wide readership, from students and academic researchers to scientists and professionals from industry, interested in the study and application of microbial surfactants.

The book spans across the research domains of mechanisation and automation, agrobusiness, food processing and value addition, climate smart agriculture, rural sanitation, agro biotechnology, and rural energy.

This edited book discusses the latest advancements in the area of biofuel development. It covers extensive information regarding different aspects and types of biofuels. The book provides a road map of the various kinds of biofuels available for consideration. It focuses on microbial based power generation, applications of nanotechnology in biofuel development, advancements in molecular techniques, economic and life cycle assessments. The book also highlights the commercialization prospects and economics of the various processes and an overview of the life cycle assessment of the various different kinds of biofuels. The contributors are experienced professors, academicians and scientists associated with renowned laboratories and institutes in India and abroad. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, biofuel scientists, capacity builders and policymakers. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students. National and internationalscientists, policy makers will also find this to be a useful read.

This book discusses the latest advancements in the area of biofuel development. It covers extensive information regarding different aspects and types of biofuels. The book provides a road map of the various different kinds of biofuels available for consideration, including both conventional and advanced algal based biofuels, replete with the economic analysis of their production and implementation. The contributors are experienced professors, academicians and scientists associated with renowned laboratories and institutes in India and abroad. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, biofuel scientists, capacity builders and policymakers. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students. National and international scientists, policy makers will also find this to be a useful read.

This book describes the various techniques for nondestructive quality assessment of fruits and vegetables. It covers the methods, measurements, operation principles, procedures, data analysis, and applications for implementing these techniques.The book presents the details of nondestructive approaches focusing on the present-day trends and existing future opportunities in the fresh food supply chain. First, it overviews different nondestructive techniques in food quality detection. Then it presents nondestructive methods: monochrome computer vision, imaging techniques, biospeckle laser technique, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, X-ray computed tomography, ultrasound, acoustic emission, chemometrics, electronic nose and tongue. Selected applications of each method are also introduced. As a result, readers gain a better understanding of how to use nondestructive methods and technologiesto detect the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables.With a wide range of interesting topics, the book will benefit readers including postharvest & food scientists/technologists, industry personnel and researchers involved in fresh produce quality detection. The book can also serve as a readily accessible reference material for postgraduate students.

This book reviews alternative and renewable energy resources in order to pave the way for a more sustainable production in the future. A multi-disciplinary team of authors provides a comprehensive overview of current technologies and future trends, including solar technologies, wind energy, hydropower, microbial electrochemical systems and various biomass sources for biofuel production. In addition, the book focuses on solutions for developing countries. Conventional energy sources are finite, and estimates suggest that they will be exhausted within a few decades. Finding a solution to this problem is a global challenge, and developing countries in particular are still highly dependent on fossil fuels due to their rapidly growing populations accompanied by a huge growth in primary energy consumption. Moreover, the most common conventional energy sources (coal and petroleum) are non-sustainable since their combustion exponentially increases greenhouse gas emissions. As such, there is a pressing need for clean energy based on alternative or renewable resources, not only to ensure energy supplies at an affordable price but also to protect the environment.

This book presents the timeline of immunodiagnostics evolution, including advancements in immunological/nucleic acid probes, assay design, labelling techniques, and devices for signal transduction and acquisition. In the past few years, enzyme and nanocatalyst-based immune assays have undergone numerous modifications to enhance their sensitivity and potential for automation. Further, to reduce production costs and the use of laboratory animals, engineering small antibodies and nucleic acid probes (aptamers) has become increasingly popular in the development of novel and powerful bioassays. In light of the notable advancements in immunodiagnostics, this book highlights the combined efforts of clinicians, biotechnologists, material scientists, nanotechnologists and basic scientists in a coherent and highly structured way. The book takes readers on the journey of immunodiagnostic technologies, from their introduction to the present.

This book caters to the need of researchers working in the ever-evolving field of agricultural biotechnology. It discusses and provides in-depth information about latest advancements happening in this field. The book discusses evolution of plant tissue culture techniques, development of doubled haploids technology, role of recombinant-DNA technology in crop improvement. It also provides an insight into the global status of genetically modified crops, use of RNAi technology and mi-RNAs in plant improvement. Chapters are also dedicated for different branches of ‘omics'science including genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics along with the use of molecular markers in tagging and mapping of various genes/QTLs of agronomic importance. This book also covers the role of enzymes and microbes in agriculture in productivity enhancement. It is of interest to teachers, researchers of biotechnology and agriculture scientists. Also the book serves as additional readingmaterial for undergraduate and postgraduate students of biotechnology, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international biotechnologists and agricultural scientists will also find this to be a useful read.

This edited volume discusses the role of various microbial products in healthcare, environment and agriculture. Several microbial products are directly involved in solving major health problems, agricultural and environmental issues. In healthcare sector, microbes are used as anti-tumor compounds, antibiotics, anti-parasitic agents, enzyme inhibitors and immunosuppressive agents. Microbial products are also used to degrade xenobiotic compounds and bio-surfactants, for biodegradation process. In agriculture, microbial products are used to enhance nutrient uptake, to promote plant growth, or to control plant diseases. The book presents several such applications of microbes in the ecosystems. The chapters are contributed from across the globe and contain up-to-date information. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, microbiologists and ecologists. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, forestry, ecology, soilscience, and environmental sciences.

This volume offers detailed information on the behaviour of various water pollutants, and on the principles and concepts of groundwater flow and transport. It will help readers to understand and execute the planning, supervision, and review of solute transport and groundwater modeling projects. The book also discusses the role and fate of elements that have been identified as major contaminants in surface and subsurface waters, and their adverse effects on ecology and human health. The book explores this theme throughout four sections – a. Understanding Soil-Water Systems, b. Fate and Transport of Pollutants, c. Physico-Chemical Treatment of Wastewater and d. Microbial Techniques Used to Decontaminate Soil-Water Systems. Introducing readers to a range of recent advances concerning the fundamentals of subsurface water treatment, it offers a valuable guide for teachers, researchers, policymakers, and undergraduate and graduate students of hydrology, environmental microbiology, biotechnology and the environmental sciences. It also provides field engineers and industrial practitioners with essential support in the effective remediation and management of polluted sites.

Rampant industrialization has caused high levels of contamination by various toxic chemicals in our water bodies, which is a matter of concern in terms of ecosystems, as well as human and animal health. Polluted wastewater can contaminate drinking water and is also is a causal factor for bio-magnification of heavy metals into our food cycle. In the last decade, several methodologies have been adopted to clean the wastewaters, and among these, microbial remediation has emerged as an effective technology. Several variants of microbial technologies have been developed for wastewater treatment and biodegradation specific to the industry, type of waste and toxicity of the chemicals.This book describes the recent advances in microbial degradation and microbial remediation of various xenobiotic compounds in soil and wastewater. It also explains various modern microbial technologies for biodegradation and wastewater treatment. It covers various microbial technologies for wastewater treatment, biodegradation, bioremediation and solid waste management. Gathering contributions from leading international it focuses on the status quo in industrial wastewater treatment and its biodegradation.The book is intended for researchers in the field of industrial wastewater, students of environmental sciences and practitioners in water pollution abatement.

Xenobiotic compounds including pesticides, nitrophenols, pyridine, polycyclic aromatic compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls are widely spread in environment due to anthropogenic activities. Most of them are highly toxic to living beings due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Therefore, the removal of these compounds from environment is an essential step for environmental sustainability. Microbial remediation has emerged as an effective technology for degradation of these xenobiotic compounds as microorganisms have unique ability to utilize these compounds as their sole source of carbon and energy. The primary goal of this book is to provide detailed information of microbial degradation of many xenobiotic compounds in various microorganisms.