Current Advances in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Environmental Sciences – serie

Microbes are the most abundant organisms in the biosphere and regulate many critical elemental and biogeochemical phenomena. Because microbes are the key players in the carbon cycle and in related biological reactions, microbial ecology is a vital research area for understanding the contribution of the biosphere in global warming and the response of the natural environment to climate variations. The beneficial uses of microbes have enabled constructive and cost-effective responses that have not been possible through physical or chemical methods. This new volume reviews the multifaceted interactions among microbes, ecosystems, and their pivotal role in maintaining a more balanced environment, in order to help facilitate living organisms coexisting with the natural environment.With extensive references, tables, and illustrations, this book provides valuable information on microbial utilization for environmental sustainability and provides fascinating insights into microbial diversity. Key features include:Looks at enhancing plant production through growth-promoting arbuscular mycorrhizae, endophytic bacteria, and microbiome networksConsiders microbial degradation and environmental management of e-wastes and azo dyesExplores soil-plant microbe interactions in metal-contaminated soilsExamines radiation-resistant thermophiles for engineered bioremediationDescribes potential indigenous/effective microbes for wastewater treatment processesPresents research on earthworms and microbes for organic farming

Microbes are the most abundant organisms in the biosphere and regulate many critical elemental and biogeochemical phenomena. Because microbes are the key players in the carbon cycle and in related biological reactions, microbial ecology is a vital research area for understanding the contribution of the biosphere in global warming and the response of the natural environment to climate variations. The beneficial uses of microbes have enabled constructive and cost-effective responses that have not been possible through physical or chemical methods. This new volume reviews the multifaceted interactions among microbes, ecosystems, and their pivotal role in maintaining a more balanced environment, in order to help facilitate living organisms coexisting with the natural environment.With extensive references, tables, and illustrations, this book provides valuable information on microbial utilization for environmental sustainability and provides fascinating insights into microbial diversity. Key features include:Looks at enhancing plant production through growth-promoting arbuscular mycorrhizae, endophytic bacteria, and microbiome networksConsiders microbial degradation and environmental management of e-wastes and azo dyesExplores soil-plant microbe interactions in metal-contaminated soilsExamines radiation-resistant thermophiles for engineered bioremediationDescribes potential indigenous/effective microbes for wastewater treatment processesPresents research on earthworms and microbes for organic farming

This book focuses on the current and potential applications of microalgae and cyanobacteria in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. The book deals with the very recent and advanced techniques and technologies in algal cultivation and extraction for its application. The chapters discuss the biological importance, properties, and uses of algal metabolites and microalgae-based compounds in drug development, in food nutrition enhancement, and in the development of cosmetics with medicinal properties.The chapter authors cover a range of diverse topics on algal biological resources, such as:algae as a nutraceutical and functional food ingredientthe extraction of food bioactive compounds from microalgaespirulina-derived nutraceuticals and their applications in the food industryanticancer compounds from freshwater microalgaecosmetic applications of microalgal and cyanobacterial pigmentsand moreThis unique book, Algal Genetic Resources: Cosmeceuticals, Nutraceuticals, and Pharmaceuticals from Algae, will enlighten readers on the vast usefulness of microalgae and cyanobacteria as an important resource for the cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries for their broad biotechnological potential industrial applications. The volume will be a valuable reference for scientists and researchers in these areas as well as for advanced students and faculty in ecology, phycology, botany, agriculture, biotechnology, microbiology, environmental biotechnology, plant science, and life sciences.

This book focuses on the current and potential applications of microalgae and cyanobacteria in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. The book deals with the very recent and advanced techniques and technologies in algal cultivation and extraction for its application. The chapters discuss the biological importance, properties, and uses of algal metabolites and microalgae-based compounds in drug development, in food nutrition enhancement, and in the development of cosmetics with medicinal properties.The chapter authors cover a range of diverse topics on algal biological resources, such as:algae as a nutraceutical and functional food ingredientthe extraction of food bioactive compounds from microalgaespirulina-derived nutraceuticals and their applications in the food industryanticancer compounds from freshwater microalgaecosmetic applications of microalgal and cyanobacterial pigmentsand moreThis unique book, Algal Genetic Resources: Cosmeceuticals, Nutraceuticals, and Pharmaceuticals from Algae, will enlighten readers on the vast usefulness of microalgae and cyanobacteria as an important resource for the cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries for their broad biotechnological potential industrial applications. The volume will be a valuable reference for scientists and researchers in these areas as well as for advanced students and faculty in ecology, phycology, botany, agriculture, biotechnology, microbiology, environmental biotechnology, plant science, and life sciences.

This new volume addresses the growing use of organic farming in recent past decades fueled by the concern with the many deleterious effects of conventional agricultural practices, which employ chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides for large scale production of food. It focuses on sustainable development in farming, primarily detailing the application of different natural resources as manure for organic farming. The authors discuss efficient and cost-effective uses of natural and available resources to produce healthy food while at the same time helping to conserve the environment.Section I of Organic Farming for Sustainable Development discusses in detail the application of microorganisms such as Trichoderma sp., Azospirillum sp., endophytic microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhiza, Chaetomium sp., and bioactive secondary metabolites in organic farming practices. Section II explores the potential applications of organic amendments and sustainable practices for plant growth and soil health using garlic products, organic substrates, biochar, organic mulching, and tillage and weed management. In addition, Section III summarizes the impacts and prospects of organic crop production technology on health, food safety, and quality.The authors bring together important information that will be helpful in designing organic farming methods for soil sustainability and crop productivity as well as for nutritious food produced efficiently and cost productively. The book provides valuable insight to efficiently and cost-effectively use natural and available resources to increase the nutrient content of our food as well as to manage the organic wastes coming from other sectors, such as from cattle farms without polluting the surroundings.

The constantly growing world population scenario is escalating the pressure on crop productivity. The excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, however, leads to the deterioration of the quality of soil and food crop products. This new volume, Microbial Fertilizer Technology for Sustainable Crop Production, addresses those concerns by focusing on improving soil health through sustainable practices. The use of microbial biofertilizers is a promising substitute to traditional chemical pesticides and fertilizers, providing a cost-effective practice for a sustainable environment and eco-friendly agriculture that uses soil microbes to improve the solubility of soil nutrients, leading to enhanced fertility and better crop productivity. This new book takes an in-depth look at utilizing the potential soil microorganisms of diverse genera to overcome issues instigated by the overuse of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.The book discusses the formulation, preparation, production, and applications of microbial biofertilizers for agricultural, forestry, industrial, and environmental sectors. It also provides extensive information and case studies on emerging plant growth promoters such as arbuscular mycorrhiza, rhizobia, endophytes, and cyanobacteria.With in-depth coverage and strategic emphasis, this volume will be immensely useful and informative for microbiologists, biotechnologists, plant biologists, bioengineers, industrialists, and agronomists dealing with production and assembly methods for microbial biofertilizers. It will also be an essential guide for agriculture development executives, trainees in microbial biofertilizer industry, teachers, research scholars, and postgraduate students who are interested in understanding the science behind sustainable biofertilizer production, agroecology, and soil chemistry.

The farming and cultivation of algae can provide sustainable solutions for issues like food security-related problems, costly health-related products, sustainable fuels, and more. However, the use of algae is currently restricted to high-value, low-volume markets, mainly due to the high investment and production costs involved. In recent years, algaculture for food and fuel purposes has begun a transition from R&D and pilot-scale operations to commercial-scale systems. This new book presents the latest technological innovations in algae production, market status, and prospects for algal applications.The book provides an informative overview of different perspectives on the commercial production of algae-based food, health, and high-value cosmeceutical products, providing an institutional framework to support and promote the development and commercialization of algal farming. The book discusses phycotechnology and highlights the current trends and future scope of algal technology. It also presents new information on algal culture conditions and cultivation strategies, including a look at geographic position and local climate as key factors in the implementation of microalgae-based processes. Algal production, marketing strategies, and their commercialization are discussed, as are the industrial applications of algae, focusing mainly on nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical applications of microalgae and macroalgae.