Algal Chemical Ecology


Book Description

Yet another Springer world-beater, this is the first ever book devoted to the chemical ecology of algae. It covers both marine and freshwater habitats and all types of algae, from seaweeds to phytoplankton. While the book emphasizes the ecological rather than chemical aspects of the field, it does include a unique introductory chapter that serves as a primer on algal natural products chemistry.




Algal Metabolites


Book Description

Algal secondary metabolites have several biotechnological, pharmaeceutical, industral, cosmetic, and other commercial applications. This new book highlights the recent advances in algal active metabolites, emphasizing their pharmaceutical, therapeutic, nutraceutical, and industral potential. It first provides an introduction to algal metabolites and discusses their applications. It then looks at microalgal- their pharmaeceutical, therapeutic, nutraceutical, and industrial applications. Providing a wealth of information, this book illustrates the diversity of these metabolites from indegeneous marine of freshwater sources, providing a gateway that can enable researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop novel nontoxic, cost-effective, and highly efficient drugs.




Microalgae in Health and Disease Prevention


Book Description

Microalgae in Health and Disease Prevention is a comprehensive reference that addresses the historical and potential use of microalgae, its extracts, secondary metabolites, and molecular constituents for enhancing human health and preventing diseases. Each chapter features an overview, and the book includes coverage of microalgae biology, harmful algae, the use of microalgae in alcohol and food, and as sources of macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The historical use of microalgae, in addition to its potential use as a nutraceutical and cosmeceutical, is also addressed. The book provides coverage of relevant, up-to-date research as assembled by a group of contributors who are dedicated to the advancement of microalgae use in health, diet and nutrition. Discusses research findings on the relationship between microalgal diet, nutrition and human health Presents the medicinal, anti-allergic and psychoactive properties of microalgae Identifies toxic and harmful microalgae Addresses microalgal lipids, proteins and carbohydrates







Plant Metabolites: Methods, Applications and Prospects


Book Description

Food security and the medicinal needs of billions of people around the world are pressing global issues, and the biodiversity and sustainable utilization of plants is of great significance in this context. Further, ethnobotanical studies are vital in the discovery of new drugs from indigenous medicinal plants, and plants with industrially important metabolites need to be cultivated to meet the growing market demand. In addition, the production of plant metabolites under in vitro conditions also has tremendous possibilities. The totipotency of plant cells plays a valuable role in the sustainable utilization of plant resources through cell, tissue and organ culture. At the same time, production can be enhanced using productive cell lines, treatment with elicitors, changing nutritional parameters and metabolic engineering. This book provides state-of-the-art information on biodiversity, conservation, ethnobotany, various aspects of In vitro secondary metabolite production, bioprospecting from various plant groups and drug discovery. It also discusses methods of extracting and characterizing drug leads from plant sources.​




Algal Green Chemistry


Book Description

Algal Green Chemistry: Recent Progress in Biotechnology presents emerging information on green algal technology for the production of diverse chemicals, metabolites, and other products of commercial value. This book describes and emphasizes the emerging information on green algal technology, with a special emphasis on the production of diverse chemicals, metabolites, and products from algae and cyanobacteria. Topics featured in the book are exceedingly valuable for researchers and scientists in the field of algal green chemistry, with many not covered in current academic studies. It is a unique source of information for scientists, researchers, and biotechnologists who are looking for the development of new technologies in bioremediation, eco-friendly and alternative biofuels, biofertilizers, biogenic biocides, bioplastics, cosmeceuticals, sunscreens, antibiotics, anti-aging, and an array of other biotechnologically important chemicals for human life and their contiguous environment. This book is a great asset for students, researchers, and biotechnologists. - Discusses high-value chemicals from algae and their industrial applications - Explores the potential of algae as a renewable source of bioenergy and biofuels - Considers the potential of algae as feed and super-food - Presents the role of triggers and cues to algal metabolic pathways - Includes developments in the use of algae as bio-filters




Handbook of Algal Technologies and Phytochemicals


Book Description

Key features: The most comprehensive resource available on the biodiversity of algal species, their industrial production processes and their use for human consumption in food, health and varied applications. Emphasis on basic and applied research, addressing aspects of scale-up for commercial exploitation for the development of novel phytochemicals (phytochemicals from algae). Addresses the underexplored and underutilized potential of chemicals from marine sources for health benefits. Each chapter, written by expert contributors from around the world, includes Summary Points, Figures and Tables, as well as up-to-date references. The first book in this two-volume set explores the diversity of algal constituents for health and disease applications. The commercial value of chemicals of value to food and health is about $6 billion annually, of which 30 percent relates to micro and macro algal metabolites and products for health food applications. This comprenhensive volume looks in detail at algal genomics and metabolomics as well as mass production of microalgae. As a whole, the two-volume set covers all micro and macro algal forms and their traditional uses; their constituents which are of value for food, feed, specialty chemicals, bioactive compounds for novel applications, and bioenergy molecules. Bio-business and the market share of algae-based products are also dealt with, providing global perspectives.




Algal Biomass and Biofuels


Book Description




Prospects and Challenges in Algal Biotechnology


Book Description

This contributed volume presents the latest research and state-of-the-art approaches in the study of microalgae. It describes in detail technologies for the cultivation of marine, freshwater and extremophilic algae, as well as phototrophic biofilms, cyanobacterial mats and periphytons, including the media requirements and growth rates of different types of algae. The second part of the book is dedicated to the biotechnological applications of algal biomass and secondary metabolites produced by these organisms, and critically discusses topics such as algae-based biofuels and CO2 sequestration. In addition, it reviews the prospects and challenges of algal bioremediation of domestic and industrial wastewaters, including the use of planktonic and self-immobilized algae systems in wastewater treatment, explaining their merits and drawbacks. Lastly, it highlights research methods and approaches related to the production of high-value products and bioactive compounds.




Therapeutic and Nutritional Uses of Algae


Book Description

Algae have been used since ancient times as food, fodder, fertilizer and as source of medicine. Nowadays seaweeds represent an unlimited source of the raw materials used in pharmaceutical, food industries, medicine and cosmetics. They are nutritionally valuable as fresh or dried vegetables, or as ingredients in a wide variety of prepared foods. In particular, seaweeds contain significant quantities of protein, lipids, minerals and vitamins. There is limited information about the role of algae and algal metabolites in medicine. Only a few taxa have been studied for their use in medicine. Many traditional cultures report curative powers from selected alga, in particular tropical and subtropical marine forms. This is especially true in the maritime areas of Asia, where the sea plays a significant role in daily activities. Nonetheless, at present, only a few genera and species of algae are involved in aspects of medicine and therapy. Beneficial uses of algae or algal products include those that may mimic specific manifestations of human diseases, production of antibiotic compounds, or improvement of human nutrition in obstetrics, dental research, thallassotherapy, and forensic medicine.