Microbial Processes and Products


Book Description

The development of biotechnology over the last 20 years, and particularly the use of recombinant DNA techniques, has rapidly expanded the opportu- ties for human benefits from living resources. Efforts to reduce pollution, p- vent environmental damage, combat microbial infection, improve food production, and so on can each involve fermentation or the environmental - lease of microorganisms. Many products of fermentation technology, such as alcoholic beverages, bread, antibiotics, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and others, have been influenced by the progress of recombinant DNA techniques. The development of new products or the more efficient manufacturing of those already being produced often involve the use of microorganisms as cell fac- ries for many productions and biotransformations. Microbial Processes and Products is intended to provide practical expe- mental laboratory procedures for a wide range of processes and products me- ated by microorganisms. Although not an exhaustive treatise, it provides a detailed “step-by-step” description of the most recent developments in such applied biotechnological processes. The detailed protocols we provide are cross-referenced in the Notes section, contain critical details, lists of problems and their troubleshooting, as well as safety recommendations that may not n- mally appear in journal articles and can be particularly useful for those un- miliar with specific techniques.




Microbial Process Development


Book Description

This book outlines the vast potential of the microbial catalyst for present and future microbial process development without waste formation, leading to a clean environment. It is intended to inspire scientists and biochemical engineers to isolate new microorganisms from nature and to explore the optimal potential of the genotype before altering its code through genetical engineering. This book is structured to encourage the reader to use basic scientific and biochemical engineering concepts for the development of new and improved fermentation technology industries. It leads the reader from aspects of isolation, identification and preservation of microbial strains to the use of thermodynamics and their biochemistry to the final endproducts and their purification. Special emphasis is given to the restoration of our present and the preservation of our future environment using socioecological and biotechnological concepts. Drawing on many years of experience teaching and working in the Asia-Pacific and Africa, the author presents an interesting, informative and enlightening account of his knowledge in this field.




Dehalogenation


Book Description

Halogenated organic compounds constitute one of the largest groups of environmental chemicals. The industrial production of new halogenated organic compounds has increased throughout the last century peaking in the 1960s, and continuing in widespread use today. Organohalides are integral to a variety of industrial applications, including use as solvents, degreasing agents, biocides, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, hydraulic and heat transfer fluids, and intermediates for chemical synthesis, to name a few. It is important to recognize the beneficial aspects of halogenated organic compounds, as well as their potentially deleterious impact on the environment and health. Recognition ofthe adverse environmental effects ofmanytypes oforganohalide compounds has led to efforts to reduce or eliminate the most problematic ones. Although organohalide compounds are typically considered to be anthropogenic industrial compounds, they have their counterpart in several thousands of natural biogenic and geogenic organohalides, representing most classes of organic chemicals. Natural sources account for a significant portion of the global organohalogen budget. This volume authored by recognized experts in the field provides a current perspective on how both natural and synthetic organohalides are formed and degraded, and how these processes are incorporated into a global halogen cycle. The focus is on microbial processes, since these play a major role both in the production and degradation, i. e. , cycling of halogenated organic compounds inthe environment. This book is organized into five parts. Part I, Introduction, provides a global perspective on the issues of organohalides and their fate in the environment.




Processes in Microbial Ecology


Book Description

Microbial ecology is the study of interactions among microbes in natural environments and their roles in biogeochemical cycles, food web dynamics, and the evolution of life. Microbes are the most numerous organisms in the biosphere and mediate many critical reactions in elemental cycles and biogeochemical reactions. Because microbes are essential players in the carbon cycle and related processes, microbial ecology is a vital science for understanding the role of the biosphere in global warming and the response of natural ecosystems to climate change. This novel textbook discusses the major processes carried out by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other protists - the microbes - in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. It focuses on biogeochemical processes, starting with primary production and the initial fixation of carbon into cellular biomass, before exploring how that carbon is degraded in both oxygen-rich (oxic) and oxygen-deficient (anoxic) environments. These biogeochemical processes are affected by ecological interactions, including competition for limiting nutrients, viral lysis, and predation by various protists in soils and aquatic habitats. The book neatly connects processes occurring at the micron scale to events happening at the global scale, including the carbon cycle and its connection to climate change issues. A final chapter is devoted to symbiosis and other relationships between microbes and larger organisms. Microbes have huge impacts not only on biogeochemical cycles, but also on the ecology and evolution of more complex forms of life, including Homo sapiens..




Microbial Production of Food Ingredients and Additives


Book Description

Microbial Production of Food Ingredients and Additives, Volume Five, the latest release in the Handbook of Food Bioengineering series, is a solid resource on how microorganisms can increase food production and quality. Microorganisms are used to create and enhance food, used as food additives to improve food taste, and in improving function and fortification to benefit overall health. The book presents the applications of microbial products in food bioengineering and methods to obtain valuable ingredients, such as sugars, acids, secondary metabolites, enzymes and vitamins. Recent and future applications of these microbial – derived food components are discussed, along with future applications. - Provides various research examples on how microbial production can improve food by lactic acid bacteria - Presents information on how microorganisms may be utilized to produce high quantity and quality therapeutic food ingredients used for human and animal food - Includes numerous applications to provide a broad perspective on the benefits of microbial production and how they are an alternative to chemical production and purification of ingredients




Microbial Technology


Book Description




Microbial Processing of Metal Sulfides


Book Description

The application of microbiological methods to the extraction of metals from minerals is supported by several bioleaching and biooxidation processes operating in different sites over the world. This book details the basic aspects of the process with special emphasis on recent contributions regarding the chemical and microbial aspects of the bioleaching process and the use of microorganisms in the treatment of complex ores and concentrates.




Microbial Technology


Book Description

Microbial Technology: Fermentation Technology, Second Edition is a collection of papers that deals with fermentations and modifications of plant or animal products for foods, beverages, and feeds. The papers also review microbial technology: general principles, culture selection, laboratory methods, instrumentation, computer control, product isolation, immobilized cell usage, economics, and microbial patents. Several papers explain the process of fermentation and food modification in cheese, soy sauce, vinegar, mushroom, inocula for blue-veined cheeses, and blue cheese flavor. One paper discusses the technology of isolation, production, and application of microbial cultures which are commercially available or imminent as inocula for the treatment of wastes, The paper describes these cultures in terms of product characteristics, types of cultures, and application guidelines for waste treatment. Another paper outlines the procedures used by investigators involved in microbial reaction engineering, as follows: (1) identification of main products and substrates: (2) stoichiometry of the process; (3) kinetics and process rate; and (4) reactor design. One paper cites examples of immobilized cell systems utilized to prepare fine chemicals, such as the research of Chibata et al. (1975) and Yamamoto et al (1976, 1977). The collection is suitable for food technologists, bio-chemists, cellular biologists, micro-biologists, and scientists involved in food production, medicine, agriculture, and environmental control.




Microbial Energy Conversion


Book Description

The book provides an overview on various microorganisms and their industrialization in energy conversion, such as ethanol fermentation, butanol fermentation, biogas fermentation and fossil energy conversion. It also covers microbial oil production, hydrogen production and electricity generation. The content is up to date and suits well for both researchers and industrial audiences.




Microbial Biotechnology


Book Description

Incorporates the Experiences of World-Class Researchers Microbial Biotechnology: Progress and Trends offers a theoretical take on topics that relate to microbial biotechnology. The text uses the "novel experimental experiences" of various contributors from around the world—designed as case studies—to highlight relevant topics, issues, and recent developments surrounding this highly interdisciplinary field. It factors in metagenomics and microbial biofuels production, and incorporates major contributions from a wide range of disciplines that include microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemical engineering, and bioprocess engineering. In addition, it also provides a variety of photos, diagrams, and tables to help illustrate the material. The book consists of 15 chapters and contains subject matter that addresses: Microbial biotechnology from its historical roots to its different processes Some of the new developments in upstream processes Solid-state fermentation as an interesting field in modern fermentation processes Recent developments in the production of valuable microbial products such as biofuels, organic acids, amino acids, probiotics, healthcare products, and edible biomass Important microbial activities such as biofertilizer, biocontrol, biodegradation, and bioremediation Students, scientists, and researchers can benefit from Microbial Biotechnology: Progress and Trends, a resource that addresses biotechnology, applied microbiology, bioprocess/fermentation technology, healthcare/pharmaceutical products, food innovations/food processing, plant agriculture/crop improvement, energy and environment management, and all disciplines related to microbial biotechnology.