Microbiology-2.0 Update for a Sustainable Future


Book Description

This book demonstrates the extremely fascinating and interdisciplinary microbial domain. It helps in discovering the latest advances in microbiology and learns how they can help shape a more sustainable future for our planet. This comprehensive guide covers the latest breakthroughs in microbiology research and their practical applications in fields such as ecology, agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental science. Furthermore, the readers explore the cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that are driving the next generation of microbiology research. With expert insights from the leading microbiologists, this book is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding the role of microbes in our world and harnessing their power for a better tomorrow.




Importance of Microbiology Teaching and Microbial Resource Management for Sustainable Futures


Book Description

Importance of Microbiology Teaching and Microbial Resource Management for Sustainable Futures brings experts together to highlight the importance of microbiology-discipline-based teaching with its unique skills-based approaches. The book discusses how microscope microbiology has received significant attention since microorganisms played a significant role in the advancement, as well as destruction of, mankind during incidences such as the black death. With the discovery of penicillin from a fungal culture, the beneficial role of microorganisms has been a major catalyst in the progress of biological sciences.Interestingly, there are fundamental aspects of microbiology that did not change since revelations of their identity dating back to the Pasteur era. This book details the progress made and milestones that have been set in the science. Emphasizes traditional and discipline-based teaching with a focus on microbiology Combines pedagogy and the challenges faced in the post-genomic era Provides examples from various parts of the world, including from the Pasteur Institute




Microorganisms in Polar Regions: Understanding Their Survival Strategies for a Sustainable Future


Book Description

Scientific research on cold-adapted microorganisms (specifically polar microbes) is of great interest, since Arctic and Antarctic regions harbor diverse and active populations of microorganisms. However, these microorganisms are subject to impacts of environmental perturbations. For example, climate change will modulate the distribution and activity of many cyanobacteria and algal species in polar environments that contribute significantly to global carbon fixation and oxygen production. Moreover, many microorganisms that have remained frozen for thousands of years can revive their metabolic activity and re-join the modern microbial community. For survival in freezing environments, polar microorganisms have established specific regulatory mechanisms which are now being challenged by new, rapidly changing environmental conditions. Remarkable progress has been made to uncover microbial adaptation to anthropogenic activities such as high irradiance, nutritional deprivation, UV-B radiation, heat, cold, desiccation, and heavy metals. Studies have enabled a basic understanding of gene regulatory pathways for morphological, physiological, metabolic, and genetic adaptations to various environmental stresses. To further elucidate physiological adaptation mechanisms and molecular diversity in polar regions, this Research Topic is focused on microbes in polar regions, looking at their biodiversity, ecological adaptations, the impact of climate change on their lifestyles, and biotechnological application of microbes for a sustainable future.




Microbial Resource Technologies for Sustainable Development


Book Description

Microbial Resource Technologies for Sustainable Development describes the production and uses of microbial cells and metabolites and reviews the microbial resource technologies associated with providing sustainable solutions options in future endeavors in managing microbial resources. The book includes the recent development and scientific demonstrations of microbial technologies in the relationship between microbes and the environment, focusing on its effective resource management to achieve agricultural and environmental sustainability. Topics covered in the book include recent applications and exploration of the development of Marine Microbial Technologies for marine resources, soil microbes as biopolymers for enhancing mechanical properties of soil, and more. Other topics discussed include rhizosphere microbiome for enhancement of the cereal crops, endophytic fungal communities in crops grown under different farming systems, microbiota of termite for lignocellulose breakdown, microbial consortium technologies to produce biomethane from waste effluents, microbial technologies for sustainable food additives production, biological synthesis of the nanoparticles, fungal cellulases, and efficient biofuel and acetic acid production using waste residues with an emphasis on the commercial exploitation of such microbial technologies. Discusses the enhancement of plant production through growth-promoting microbes Considers microbial degradation and environmental management of wastes Covers microbial applications in biofuel and bioenergy production Explores plant-microbe interactions for removal of heavy metals from contaminated areas Explains engineered microorganisms for effective bioremediation Describes potential indigenous/effective microbes for food and industrial treatment processes Presents research on microbes for sustainable agricultural practices







Biostimulants in Agriculture II: Towards a Sustainable Future


Book Description

Modern agriculture needs to review and broaden its practices and business models, by integrating opportunities coming from different adjacent sectors and value chains, including the bio-based industry, in a fully circular economy strategy. Searching for new tools and technologies to increase crop productivity under optimal and sub-optimal conditions and to improve resources use efficiency is crucial to ensure food security while preserving soil quality, microbial biodiversity, and providing business opportunities for farmers. Biostimulants based on microorganisms or organic substances obtained from renewable materials represent a sustainable, efficient technology or complement to synthetic counterparts, to improve nutrient use efficiency and secure crop yield stability. Under the new European Union Regulation 2019/1009, plant biostimulants were defined based on four agricultural functional claims as follows: Plant biostimulants are products that stimulate plant nutrition processes independently of the product's nutrient content with the sole aim of improving one or more of the following characteristics of the plant and/or the plant rhizosphere: 1) nutrient use efficiency, 2) tolerance resistance to (a)biotic stress, 3) quality characteristics or 4) availability of confined nutrients in the soil or rhizosphere’. Many diverse natural substances and chemical derivatives of natural or synthetic compounds, as well as beneficial microorganisms, are cataloged as plant biostimulants including i) humic substances, ii) plant or animal-based protein hydrolysates, iii) macro and micro-algal extracts, iv) silicon, v) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and vi) plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) belonging to the Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Rhizobium genera.




Microorganisms for Green Revolution


Book Description

This book explores basic and applied aspects of microorganisms, which have a unique ability to cope with abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity and changing climate, as well as biodegrader microorganisms and their functional roles. Further, readers will find detailed information on all aspects that are required to make a microbe “agriculturally beneficial.” The book’s primary focus is on microbes that are essentially “hidden miniature packages of nature” that influence agro-ecosystems. Inviting papers by prominent national and international scientists working in the field of agricultural microbiology, it addresses the biogdegrader group of microbial inoculants. Each chapter covers the respective mechanism of action and recent advances in agricultural microbiology. In addition, the book especially highlights innovations involving agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, including strategies for coping with a changing climate, and methods for developing microbial inoculants and promoting climate-smart agriculture. The information presented here is based on the authors’ extensive experience in the subject area, gathered in the course of their careers in the field of agricultural microbiology. The book offers a valuable resource for all readers who are actively involved in research on agriculturally beneficial microorganisms. In addition, it will help prepare readers for the future challenges that climate change will pose for agriculture and will help to bridge the current gaps between different scientific communities.




Microbial Nexus for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment


Book Description

Microbial ecology is pivotal in wastewater treatment, where microorganisms play a vital role in breaking down organic matter and ultimately reduce the levels of contaminants in treated water, making it safe for reuse in agriculture, industry, and other applications. The book, Microbial Nexus for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment: Resources, Efficiency, and Reuse, ventures into the dynamic world of microbial ecosystems, unveiling their pivotal role in reshaping wastewater treatment technologies. This book addresses novel microbial techniques related to sustainable, efficient technologies of wastewater treatment and wastewater reuse as well as obtaining high-quality effluents from treatment plants. Features: Unveils the potential of high-throughput microbial biotechnology for transforming wastewater management. Describes the microbial nexus involved in the biodegradation of pharmaceutical micropollutants. Highlights the valuable materials recoverable from wastewater, associated challenges, and diverse opportunities arising from effective wastewater management. Covers advanced bioremediation technologies designed to handle emerging pollutants. Demonstrates the integration of nanotechnology with bioaugmentation, exploring potential advantages and disadvantages that shape the future of wastewater treatment. Provides insights into adopting a circular economy model aligning with sustainable development goals for resource extraction. This book is tailored for graduate students and researchers in wastewater treatment, waste valorization, environmental engineering, and hazardous waste management.




Food Security and Safety


Book Description

This book focuses on food security and safety issues in Africa, a continent presently challenged with malnutrition and food insecurity. The continuous increase in the human population of Africa will lead to higher food demands, and climate change has already affected food production in most parts of Africa, resulting in drought, reduced crop yields, and loss of livestock and income. For Africa to be food-secure, safe and nutritious food has to be available, well-distributed, and sufficient to meet people’s food requirements. Contributors to Food Security and Safety: African Perspectives offer solutions to the lack of adequate safe and nutritious food in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as highlight the positive efforts being made to address this lack through a holistic approach. The book discusses the various methods used to enhance food security, such as food fortification, fermentation, genetic modification, and plant breeding for improved yield and resistance to diseases. Authors emphasize the importance of hygiene and food safety in food preparation and preservation, and address how the constraints of climate change could be overcome using smart crops. As a comprehensive reference text, Food Security and Safety: African Perspectives seeks to address challenges specific to the African continent while enhancing the global knowledge base around food security, food safety, and food production in an era of rapid climate change.