Microbial Resources

Microbial Resources: From Functional Existence in Nature to Applications provides an exciting interdisciplinary journey through the rapidly developing field of microbial resources, including relationships to aspects of microbiology. Covers the functional existence of microorganisms in nature, as well as the transfer of this knowledge for industrial and other applications. Examines the economic perspective of revealing the potential value of microbial material and figuring it into socio-economic value; legal perspectives; and how to organize a fair allotment of socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders who have effectively contributed to the preservation, study, and exploitation of microbiological material. Covers aspects of foundational information related to microbiology, microbial ecology, and diversity, as well as new advances in microbial genomics Provides information on the utilization of microbial resources in biotechnology Covers legislative issues and related law in biodiscovery Fills a need for a very broad audience and is a good resource for microbiologists seeking to know the extent of microbiology approaches, the policies associated with microbiology, and potential career paths for researchers Has significant added value due to the inclusion of comprehensive coverage of the biology, ecology, biochemistry and international legislation surrounding these applications

This volume details the exploration, collection, characterization, evaluation and conservation of microbes for sustainable utilization in the development of the global as well as national economies, e.g. in agriculture, ecosystems, environments, industry and medicine. Many research institutes and universities all over the world carry out microbiological and biotechnological research, which generates substantial genomic resources such as cDNA libraries, gene constructs, promoter regions, transgenes and more valuable assets for gene discovery and transgenic product development. This work provides up-to-date information on the management of microbial resources in the environment. It also covers the ecology of microorganisms in natural and engineered environments. In trying to understand microbial interactions it further focuses on genomic, metagenomic and molecular advances, as well as on microbial diversity and phylogeny; ecological studies of human, animal and plant microbiology and disease; microbial processes and interactions in the environment; and key technological advances. Though not intended to serve as an encyclopedic review of the subject, the various chapters investigate both theoretical and practical aspects and provide essential basic information for future research to support continued development.​

This book covers broad areas in the conservation of microorganisms. It addresses the short, medium and long-term preservation of agriculturally important microorganisms, as well as culture collections and their roles. The respective chapters address topics such as conventional approaches to bacterial, fungal and algal preservation, as well as methods and strategies for preserving recalcitrant microorganisms. Readers will also find the latest insights into the preservation of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) fungi and ecology, diversity and conservation of endophytes, and entamopathogenic fungi. Microbes of animal and dairy origin, their preservation and biosafety issues are also explored. Microorganisms are the silent and unseen majority of life on Earth, and are characterized by a high degree of genetic and metabolic diversity. It is well documented that no branch of science or society is unaffected by microbial interventions. Researchers have documented microorganisms from such extreme and unique environments as deserts and hydrothermal vents, and with specific traits that are currently being exploited in agriculture, industry, medicine and biotechnological applications. Such great potential can only be found in microorganisms. The aim of this book – the first entirely devoted to the conservation of microorganisms, and to regulatory mechanisms for access and benefits sharing as per Biological Diversity (BD) Act 2002 – is to promote awareness of our world’s microbial wealth, and to introduce readers to strategies and methodologies for the conservation of microorganisms, which could ultimately save human life on Earth.

This book sheds new light on how microbes can be used as effective and sustainable resources to produce green energy in the form of biogas, algal diesel, ethanol, hydrogen and direct electricity. It discusses topics such as microbial energy conversion technologies, including ethanol production by microbial catalytic reaction, biomethanization, biodiesel from microalgae, microbial fuel cells, and the microbiological production of hydrogen. The book will inspire scientists to find new approaches to meet local energy demands with the help of sustainable microbial resources available in and around a given location.

Microbial Resource Technologies for Sustainable Development describes the production and uses of microbial cells and metabolites and reviews the microbial resource technologies associated with providing sustainable solutions options in future endeavors in managing microbial resources. The book includes the recent development and scientific demonstrations of microbial technologies in the relationship between microbes and the environment, focusing on its effective resource management to achieve agricultural and environmental sustainability. Topics covered in the book include recent applications and exploration of the development of Marine Microbial Technologies for marine resources, soil microbes as biopolymers for enhancing mechanical properties of soil, and more. Other topics discussed include rhizosphere microbiome for enhancement of the cereal crops, endophytic fungal communities in crops grown under different farming systems, microbiota of termite for lignocellulose breakdown, microbial consortium technologies to produce biomethane from waste effluents, microbial technologies for sustainable food additives production, biological synthesis of the nanoparticles, fungal cellulases, and efficient biofuel and acetic acid production using waste residues with an emphasis on the commercial exploitation of such microbial technologies. Discusses the enhancement of plant production through growth-promoting microbes Considers microbial degradation and environmental management of wastes Covers microbial applications in biofuel and bioenergy production Explores plant-microbe interactions for removal of heavy metals from contaminated areas Explains engineered microorganisms for effective bioremediation Describes potential indigenous/effective microbes for food and industrial treatment processes Presents research on microbes for sustainable agricultural practices

Microbial Pesticides: Biological Resources, Production and Application provides a concise and accessible introduction on the history of microbial pesticides, their impact on global ecology, human society and economies, as well as a thorough and tangible description of the state-of-the-art technologies available for the production, application, limitations and long–term viability of these bio-products. Information is listed per biological group (i.e., virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microsporidia and microbial metabolites), and is supported by sound scientific data. The book is copiously illustrated, with original pictures clarifying the most common techniques and protocols utilized in microbiological biocontrol technology. Finally, images of all biological active ingredients currently used in commercially produced formulations, as well as laboratory developed formulations, are illustrated and listed in detailed tables for prompt access. Provides a concise and accessible introduction to the history of microbial pesticides and their impact on global ecology, human society and economies Offers a thorough and tangible description of state-of-the-art technologies surrounding the production, application, limitations and long-term viability of bio-products Reports current regulatory measures and protocols used to assess host range and collateral impact(s) of microbial formulations based on virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microsporidia and microbial metabolites Features lists by biological group (i.e., virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microsporidia and microbial metabolites) Links sound scientific data and concise, accessible language

Plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) have gained acceptance and importance due to their dual benefits of promoting plant growth in addition to managing plant pests and diseases and are extensively used as microbial inoculants in improving agricultural productivity. Use of PGPM mixtures and their integration with other means, like host resistance and chemicals, has proven to be more useful in management of several disease problems. Successful greenhouse and field demonstrations have been done using PGPM for growth promotion and resistance induction in various crops, against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Practical use of PGPM-based products has advanced and many formulations are made available in commercial scale, and more are currently under development. Further, novel formulation technologies have been formulated. Microorganisms constitute the major players in the rhizosphere and their composition and biomass significantly alters the plants response to the environment. Composition and interaction of rhizomicroflora with its surroundings highly influences plant health and productivity. Such beneficial rhizo-ecosystems engineering and manipulation of the rhizosphere to exploit or enhance this innate genetic potential, which will most probably play a key role in the future development of sustainable agricultural processes, is also reviewed. In recent years, a substantial amount of work has been done in the area of PGPM and voluminous literature is available. This book presents a methodical, comprehensive and latest research survey in this area. An overview of the scale and impact of PGPM in plant growth promotion and management of crop diseases, focusing attention on details most relevant to the development and application of biological control strategies involving various microbial strains is discussed. Problems and prospects of commercialisation, advantages and disadvantages of their use and their potential for integrated pest management are also outlined. Most of the available books either refer to the subject of plant growth promoting fungi or plant growth promoting bacteria, however, this comprehensive book includes research pertaining to all beneficial microorganisms that are plant growth promoting in nature. Moreover, this is a rapidly developing field of research and has global impact. Therefore, keeping in pace with the latest developments in this area is totally necessary, and this book will be a latest and up-to-date compilation of the research from different parts of the world.

Microbial Services in Restoration Ecology describes the role of microbial resources and their beneficial services in soil fertility and restoration of degraded ecosystems. The role of microbial interactions with crop plants which benefit agricultural productivity is also discussed. The book also includes significant advances in microbial based bio-pesticide production and strategies for high-density bio-inoculant cultivation to improve stress survivability of crop plants. This work provides next-generation molecular technologies for exploring complex microbial secondary metabolites and metabolic regulation in viability of plant–microbe interactions. Describes the role of microbial resources and their beneficial services in soil fertility and restoration of degraded ecosystems Discusses the role of microbial interactions with crop plants and how it benefits of agricultural productivity Includes significant advances in microbial based bio-pesticide production and strategies for high-density bio-inoculant cultivation to improve stress survivability of crop plants provides next-generation molecular technologies for exploring complex microbial secondary metabolites and metabolic regulation in viability of plant–microbe interactions