Antifungal Metabolites from Plants


Book Description

The goal of this book is to provide essential information on the use of different medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites for the treatment of various fungal diseases affecting human beings, animals and plants. It is divided in four parts: Part I examines the global distribution of plant-derived antifungal compounds, Part II deals with antifungal activities of plant metabolites, Part III includes plants used in Ayurveda and traditional systems for treating fungal diseases, and Part IV discusses the use of plant-derived products to protect plants against fungal diseases. ​




Medicinal Plants


Book Description

This book is focused on clarifying the anticancer effects (i.e., apoptotic, antiproliferative, antimetastatic, antiangiogenic) and mechanisms of most of the medicinal plants found in the world against solid and/or hematological cancers.




Fusarium


Book Description

Fusarium species are ubiquitous environmental fungi and can cause severe invasive infections in plants. They are crop pathogens, and consumption of such infected crops can cause diseases in humans and animals. Furthermore, they act as spoilage organisms in stored products, such as wheat, sorghum, rice, and corn (maize). Fusarium species are mycotoxin producers and contaminate food and grains. Therefore, their eradication and management have economic importance as they can cause enormous economic and agricultural production losses. Despite the fact that the genus Fusarium Link (1809) has been known for over 200 years, new scientific information is being revealed by rapid advancements and breakthrough findings of interdisciplinary studies. This book presents an introductory overview of an update to the scientific knowledge about Fusarium. It discusses various aspects of Fusarium, such as its genetic diversity, root rot incidence and severity, genetic resistance, molecular markers, mycotoxins, diseases caused by Fusarium, and their management and the biological control of these phytopathogens. Furthermore, it also elaborates upon new plant secondary metabolites that are effective against Fusarium and the molecular interaction between Fusarium and the plant.




Fungal Endophytes in Plants


Book Description

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Fungal Endophytes in Plants" that was published in JoF




Functions of Plant Secondary Metabolites and Their Exploitation in Biotechnology


Book Description

"The book is designed for use by advanced students, researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology, medicine, pharmacy and agriculture working in the academic and industrial sectors, including the pesticide and pharmaceutical industries."--Jacket.




Fungal Metabolites


Book Description




Secondary Metabolites in Soil Ecology


Book Description

Microbiologists and soil scientists will find this study compelling reading. It focuses on the role of bacterial, fungal and plant secondary metabolites in soil ecosystems. Our understanding of the biological function of secondary metabolites is surprisingly limited, considering our knowledge of their structural diversity and pharmaceutical activity. This book reviews functional aspects of secondary metabolite production, with a focus on interactions among soil organisms.




Fungal Secondary Metabolism


Book Description

Filamentous fungi have long been known for their ability to produce an enormous range of unusual chemical compounds known as secondary metabolites, many of which have potentially useful antibiotic or pharmacological properties. Recent focus on fungal genomics coupled with advances in detection and molecular manipulation techniques has galvanized a revitalization of this field. Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols is aimed at providing the key methodologies currently in use and necessary for accessing and exploiting the natural product information provided by the genomes of this large and varied kingdom. Written by active researchers in the field, the chapters deal with all the steps necessary, from optimization of fungal culture conditions for metabolite production, through rapid genome sequencing and bioinformatics, and genetic manipulations for functional analysis, to detection and testing of metabolites. In addition, chapters on basic science address approaches to the genetic regulation, protein biochemistry, and cellular localization of the biosynthetic pathways. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and hands-on, Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols encourages new investigators to enter the field and expands upon the expertise and range of skills of those already researching fungal natural products.




Bioactive Compounds from Plants


Book Description

Useful throughout history for their medical as well as other benefits, plant-derived compounds have gained particular importance recently, due to environmental factors. The isolation and characterization of plant products, the identification of their role in the plant, and ways of synthesizing identical compounds or more potent analogues are covered. Also includes methods of culturing plant tissues and genetic engineering as a means of increasing the yield of desired substances from plants. Special emphasis is placed on plants previously unknown to Western scientists.




Combating Fungal Infections


Book Description

Fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms that are closely related to humans at cellular level. Human fungal pathogens belong to various classes of fungi, mainly zygo- cetes, ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, and deuteromycetes. In recent years, fungal infections have dramatically increased as a result of improved diagnosis, high frequency of catheterization, instrumentation, etc. However, the main cause remains the increasing number of immunosuppressed patients, mostly because of HIV infection and indiscriminate usage of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agents, broad-spectrum antibiotics and prosthetic devices, and grafts in clinical settings. Presently available means of combating fungal infections are still weak and clumsy compared to control of bacterial infection. The present scenario of antifungal therapy is still based on two classes of antifungal drugs (polyenes and azoles). These drugs are effective in many cases, but display toxicity and limited spectrum of ef?cacy. The recent trend towards emergence of drug-resistant isolates in the clinic is an additional problem. In recent years, a few new antifungal drugs have entered the clinics, but they are expected to undergo same fate as the older antifungal drugs. The application of fungal genomics offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop novel antifungal drugs. However, it is too early to expect any novel drugs, as the antifungal drug discovery program is in the stage of infancy. Interestingly, several novel antifungal drug targets have been identi?ed and validated.