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The marine world is a universe in its own. It has its own rules of life and death, and many of its resources are still left undiscovered. Marine algae, although representing only a small part of the abundance of underwater species, contain important active ingredients which are becoming more and more exploited in medicine, pharmacology and nutrition. This book presents the results of a survey conducted along the Lebanese coast in order to determine the different algae species growing there. It gives a general overview of algae species, their modes of reproduction, contents in active ingredients and drying method importance as well as present medical, pharmaceutical and nutritional uses. It provides data on each of the discovered species, illustrated in high definition, along with information on locations and periods of growth. This book targets academics, researchers and curious readers, and it is still the only available reference on marine algae growing on the Lebanese coast.

Algal World has been carefully written and edited with an interdisciplinary appeal and aims to bring all aspects of Algae together in one volume. The 22 chapters are divided into two different parts which have been authored by eminent researchers from across the world. The first part, Biology of Algae, contains 10 chapters dealing with the general characteristics, classification and description of different groups such as Blue Green Algae, Green Algae, Brown Algae, Red Algae, Diatoms, Xanthophyceae, Dinophyceae, etc. In, it has two important chapters covering Algae in Extreme Environments and Life Histories and Growth Forms in Green Algae. The second part, Applied Phycology, contains 12 chapters dealing with the more applied aspects ranging from Algal Biotechnology, Biofuel, Phycoremediation, Bioactive Compounds, Biofertilizer, Fatty Acids, Harmful Algal Blooms, Industrial Applications of Seaweeds, Nanotechnology, Phylogenomics and Algal culture Techniques, etc.

Harnessing the sun's energy via photosynthesis is at the core of sustainable production of food, fuel, and materials by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Photosynthesis depends on photoprotection against intense sunlight, starting with the safe removal of excess excitation energy from the light-harvesting system, which can be quickly and non-destructively assessed via non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ). By placing NPQ into the context of whole-organism function, this book aims to contribute towards identification of plant and algal lines with superior stress resistance and productivity. By addressing agreements and open questions concerning photoprotection's molecular mechanisms, this book contributes towards development of artificial photosynthetic systems. A comprehensive picture –from single molecules to organisms in ecosystems, and from leading expert's views to practical information for non-specialists on NPQ measurement and terminology – is presented.

Over the past century, the majority of chemical and energy needs of our industrial society has originated from fossilized carbon sources (coal, crude oil, natural gas). Increasingly, there is a realization that utilization of the fossilized carbon sources has adverse environmental consequences in the form of increasing concentration of greenhouse gases. We are also becoming aware of the limited nature of these resources. As a result, considerable efforts are being made to produce chemicals and fuels from renewable resources such as forest products, agricultural residues and plant products. All of these systems capture solar energy and atmospheric carbon dioxide as a part of the natural carbon cycle. Serious research efforts are also underway, targeting cultivation of photosynthetic autotrophic microbes for the production of biomass and lipids. In this category, algae appears to offer the most potential for capturing solar energy and atmospheric carbon dioxide and delivering sufficient quantities of biomass/lipids that can offset the fossilized carbon utilization in a meaningful manner without impacting food output adversely. However, several advances, both technologically as well as politically, are needed before we can realize its full potential. It is also clear that a biorefinery approach must be undertaken in order to harvest renewable energy and chemicals from algae economically. This edited, multi-authored volume on Algal Biorefineries will document new advances involving algae-based technology.

Fungi, protists, and algae are among the most diverse life forms on the planet. Tiny protists range from plants to animals. Algae range from single celled plants to 60-foot-long kelp. Fungi occupy a kingdom of their own. Although their place in nature—neither truly plants or animals—may make them seem strange, they are actually quite familiar to us for their use in various foods, medicines, and biotechnologies. Indeed, our consumption of bread or reliance on penicillin would not be possible without these diverse eukaryotic organisms. This intriguing volume delves into the taxonomy, structure, and function of each group and evaluates their wide-ranging natural and societal impact.

Algae are photosynthetic organisms that occur in most habitats, ranging from marine and freshwater to desert sands and from hot boiling springs to snow and ice. They vary from small, single-celled forms to complex multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps of the eastern Pacific that grow to more than 60 meters in length and form dense marine forests. Algae are found in the fossil record dating back to approximately 3 billion years in the Precambrian. They exhibit a wide range of reproductive strategies, from simple, asexual cell division to complex forms of sexual reproduction. Algae are important as primary producers of organic matter at the base of the food chain. They also provide oxygen for other aquatic life. Algae may contribute to mass mortality of other organisms, in cases of algal blooms, but they also contribute to economic well- being in the form of food, medicine and other products. In tropical regions, coralline algae can be as important as corals in the formation of reefs. Seaweeds are larger algae that live in the marine (salt or brackish water) environment. Kelps are large brown seaweeds in the genera Pelagophycus, Laminaria, Macrocystis, etc. In the Pacific, individual kelp plants may reach 65 meters in length. Marine algae, as primary producers, are ecologically important, and economically have been used as food and medicines for centuries. Today, various species of marine algae provide not only food but also produce extracts such as agar, carrageenans, and alginates. These extracts are used in numerous food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications. This new book presents the latest research from around the world in this increasingly important field.

The present volume is compendium of wide ranging topics on allied and commercial aspects of algae. It is an assemblage of the up-to-date information of rapid advances and developments taking place in he field of applied phycology. The book is a unique compilation of 21 chapters focussing on algal ecology, algal biofertilizers, toxicology, bioremediation, bioenergy, biotechnology and molecular biology. The authors have done a tremendous job of synthesizing all the available informations which will be useful for researchers and students alike. The present book aimed to emphasize on diverse uses of algae. The various information incorporated in the book by authors who are internationally acknowledged experts in the field of phycology. The book has been framed with the intention of providing a sufficient depth of the subject to satisfy the needs at a level which will be comprehensive and interesting. The book will be useful to the students, teachers, scientists and researchers from the different branches of biological, agricultural and pharmaceutical sciences.

Description based on print version record.