Microbial Siderophores

In response to low iron availability in the environment most microorganisms synthesize iron chelators, called siderophores. Bacteria and fungi produce a broad range of structurally diverse siderophores, all of which show a very high affinity for ferric ions. This book presents an up-to-date overview of the chemistry, biology and biotechnology of these iron chelators. Coverage ranges from an introductory chapter to siderotyping to applications in human and plant health.

In response to low iron availability in the environment most microorganisms synthesize iron chelators, called siderophores. Bacteria and fungi produce a broad range of structurally diverse siderophores, all of which show a very high affinity for ferric ions. This book presents an up-to-date overview of the chemistry, biology and biotechnology of these iron chelators. Coverage ranges from an introductory chapter to siderotyping to applications in human and plant health.

This book provides a comprehensive review on the status of iron nutrition in plants. It contains updated reviews of most relevant issues involving Fe in plants and combines research on molecular biology with physiological studies of plant-iron nutrition. It also covers molecular aspects of iron uptake and storage in Arabidopsis and transmembrane movement and translocation of iron in plants. This book should serve to stimulate continued exploration in the field.

In the past few decades, it has been realized through research that fungal siderophores epitomize the uptake of iron as well as other essential elements like zinc, magnesium, copper, nickel and arsenic. Understanding the chemical structures of different fungal siderophores and the membrane receptors involved in uptake of mineral ions has opened new areas for research. In this edited volume, recent research is presented on fungal siderophores in one comprehensive volume to provide researchers a strong base for future research. Siderophores are the low molecular weight, high affinity iron-chelating compounds produced by bacteria and fungi. They are responsible for transporting iron across the cell membrane. Fungi produce a range of hydroxamate siderophores involved in the uptake of essential elements in almost all microorganisms and plants. In recent years, siderophores have been used in molecular imaging applications to visualize and understand cellular functions, which thus provide an opportunity to identify new drug targets. Therefore, knowledge of fungal siderophores has become vital in current research. Siderophores have received much attention in recent years because of their potential roles and applications in various research areas. Their significance in these applications is because siderophores have the ability to bind a variety of metals in addition to iron, and they have a wide range of chemical structures and specific properties. For instance, siderophores function as biocontrols, biosensors, and bioremediation and chelation agents, in addition to their important role in weathering soil minerals and enhancing plant growth. This book focuses on siderophores with the following significant points. It discusses leading, state-of-the-art research in all possible areas on fungal siderophores. The contributors are well-known and recognized authorities in the field of fungal siderophores. It discusses a projection of practical applications of fungal siderophores in various domains. This is the first book exclusively on fungal siderophores. In this comprehensive, edited volume, we show leading research on fungal siderophores and provide the most recent knowledge of researchers' work on siderophores. This book presents in-depth knowledge on siderophores to researchers working in areas of health sciences, microbiology, plant sciences, biotechnology, and bioinformatics.

This book is intended for a wide range of individuals, including scientists, students and informed laypersons who are interested in agricultural biotechnology, alternative agriculture, bioremediation of the environment and decreasing our reliance on pesticides and fungicides. It will deal primarily with understanding, at a biochemical and molecular biological level, how certain free living bacteria are able to promote plant growth; symbiotic bacteria such as Rhizobia will be mentioned only briefly. The assumption underlying the entire endeavour will be that a more profound understanding of these fundamental mechanisms will eventually permit scientists to manipulate these bacteria and use them more efficiently as a regular component of agricultural and/or horticultural practice. Therefore, while all the topics are discussed in as comprehensive a manner as possible, the book emphasizes a critical overview of the field rather than a mere compendium of data.

The roles of microbes in agriculture, industry and environment have been the point of interest since long time for their potential exploitation. Although only a fraction of microbial diversity was accessed by microbiologists earlier for harnessing them owing to limited techniques available. The molecular techniques have opened new vistas to access the wide field of the unexplored microbes and their exploitation for useful genes and novel metabolites. Sincere efforts have been made in biotechnology using microbes leading to improve our life with respect to agriculture and people health. This comprehensive volume covers different aspects of microbial biotechnology and its management in sustainable agriculture for food security and improved human health. The book comprises four sections: Endophytes and Mycorrhizae, Microbial Diversity and Plant Protection, Microbial Functions and Biotechnology, and Microbes and the Environment, which contain 53 chapters. The book examines the aspects on endophytes and mycorrhizae, bioactive compounds, growth promoting microorganisms, disease management with emphasis on biocontrol, genetics of disease resistance, microbial enzymes, advances in potential of microbes and their industrial as well as pharmaceutical applications. In addition, the use of botanicals, and the etiology and management of medicinal and aromatic plants in the post harvest management have been reviewed in greater depth for the benefit of teaching and research community. The biotechnological developments using microbe potential have enabled us combat the environment and human health problems worldwide in ecofriendly manner. We are sure that this volume will be highly useful to all those concerned with fungi, bacteria, viruses and their biology, including environmental and public health officers and professionals in the field of interest. The volume is an exhaustive coverage of almost all the aspects of microbial biology and biotechnology.

The importance of competition for iron in the interactions between saprophytic microorganisms, pathogens and plants has been recognised for almost a decade. This has been reflected i.n an upsurge of publications on the topic over the last five years. Paradoxically, the subject was only touched upon during the International Congress of Plant Pathology held in 1983. In response to this apparent omission, a few of those most closely associated with the topic met one evening during which they resolved to organise a symposium devoted solely to the various aspects of iron uptake and its relation to plant disease. It was my privilege to be asked to undertake the task of convenor. &arly correspondence brought a wealth of positive replies to the proposal, particularly from Bob Schippers in Baarn. With the increasing costs of international symposia the need for a sponsor soon became apparent and an application to NATO was favourabiy received, following helpful advice from Dr. di Lullo, Advanced Research Workshop Programme Director, to whom all the participants in this Workshop owe a debt of gratitude.

Biochemistry of Metal Micronutrients in the Rhizosphere focuses on chemical factors and biological activities that control the uptake and translocation of essential metal micronutrients by plants and microorganisms. Emphasis is placed on current proposals describing the roles of microorganisms in controlling the biological activities of metal micronutrients in the rhizosphere. Coverage includes basic principles of siderophore-mediated Fe acquisition by microorganisms, siderophores as important regulators of Fe availability to plants and rhizosphere microorganisms, and microbial control of metal micronutrient supply to plants. The book evaluates plant uptake processes of Fe, Mn, and Zn in solution cultures and integrates this information with a rapidly developing understanding of rhizosphere events. Important consideration is given to the roles of metal ion chelation and soil chemistry in these biological activities. The current understanding of the biochemical events associated with Fe-deficiency in plants is discussed, including how these activities mediate micronutrient availability to both plants and soil microorganisms. This unique mixture of detailed coverage of the events that control biological activities of Fe, Mn, and Zn in the rhizosphere makes this book an essential reference.