Biology and Ecology of Pharmaceutical Marine Plants


Book Description

Marine plants such as algae (blue-green algae and seaweeds), seagrasses, mangrove plants, salt-tolerant or salt-loving plants (halophytes) and coastal sand dune plants are known to generate approximately 70% of oxygen on earth, and help regulate oxygen in the atmosphere. These plants are potential sources of nutrients and are also considered valuable for the development of new drugs owing to their unique bioactive compounds. This book provides the taxonomy, common name, global distribution, habitat, diagnostic features and pharmaceutical compounds (along with their activities) of 400 species of marine plants, accompanied by high quality illustrations. Biology and Ecology of Pharmaceutical Marine Plants is the first comprehensive book of its kind written by scientists from both the Marine Biology and Pharmacy disciplines to fill the long-felt need for a marine natural products book devoted exclusively to plants. It should be a standard reference for students, researchers and teachers of disciplines such as Pharmacy, Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, as well as a valuable guide for pharmaceutical companies involved in the development of new drugs from marine plants.




Biology and Ecology of Pharmaceutical Marine Tunicates


Book Description

The ocean is a source of unique natural products, mainly accumulated in living organisms. The c.4000 species of tunicates or sea squirts (Phylum, Chordata; Subphylum, Urochordata) are a high-potential yet under-studied source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceuticals. The secondary metabolites such as alkaloids isolated from these organisms have led to the discovery of an approved anti-tumor drug, anti-cancer drugs Yondelis® and Aplidin®, as well as many others in clinical trial. There is an urgent need for more research on the bioactive compounds of marine tunicates and better knowledge about the identification and biology of these species. This is the first focused book to meet this need. The taxonomy, common name, global distribution, habitat, diagnostic features and pharmaceutical compounds (along with their activities) of 165 key species of tunicates are given, with high-quality illustrations. Contributed by scientists of both Marine Biology and Pharmacy disciplines, this book will serve as a standard reference for researchers, teachers and students of Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Natural Products, and Pharmacy, and as a valuable guide for pharmaceutical companies involved in the development of new drugs from marine organisms.




Biology and Ecology of Pharmaceutical Marine Plants


Book Description

"Marine plants such as algae (blue-green algae and seaweeds), seagrasses, mangrove plants, salt-tolerant or salt-loving plants (halophytes) and coastal sand dune plants are known to generate approximately 70% of oxygen on earth, and help regulate oxygen in the atmosphere. These plants are potential sources of nutrients and are also considered valuable for the development of new drugs owing to their unique bioactive compounds. This book provides the taxonomy, common name, global distribution, habitat, diagnostic features and pharmaceutical compounds (along with their activities) of 400 species of marine plants, accompanied by high quality illustrations.Biology and Ecology of Pharmaceutical Marine Plants is the first comprehensive book of its kind written by scientists from both the Marine Biology and Pharmacy disciplines to fill the long-felt need for a marine natural products book devoted exclusively to plants. It should be a standard reference for students, researchers and teachers of disciplines such as Pharmacy, Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, as well as a valuable guide for pharmaceutical companies involved in the development of new drugs from marine plants."--Provided by publisher.




Marine Biopharmaceuticals: Scope and Prospects


Book Description

Marine Biopharmaceuticals: Scope and Prospects is a collaboration of experts in pharmacology, biology and biochemistry with a focus on Marine Bioprospecting. The book provides an in-depth exploration of promising pharmaceutical compounds found in various marine biota and their therapeutic applications. The comprehensive contents cover marine ecosystems, marine biopharmaceutical, and delve into the chemistry and therapeutic applications of compounds from diverse marine organisms such as seaweeds, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, worms, shellfish, tunicates, and fishes. The chapters also highlight approved and marketed marine biota-derived drugs and marine biota-derived drug candidates currently under clinical trials. Marine biopharmaceutical compounds targeting SARS-CoV-2 are also covered, reflecting the latest developments in the field. The editors conclude the book by advocating for the establishment of professional grade Marine Biopharmacy courses at university level to contribute to this emerging field. This reference serves as a guide for researchers and instructors in disciplines such as Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marine Biology, Marine Microbiology, Marine Biochemistry, and Marine Biotechnology. Moreover, it is positioned as a standard reference for libraries in colleges and universities, offering critical insights for drug companies engaged in the development of new drugs from marine biopharmaceuticals. Readership Academics, instructors and professionals in the field of pharmacology and marine science.




Aquatic Plants


Book Description

Aquatic Plants: Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Applications provides a concise description of popular aquatic plants found across the globe. The chapters in this beautifully illustrated, full-color book focus on the aquatic species native to specific continents. Written by a global team of experts, this book explains the distribution, ethnobotanical uses, genome sequencing, chemical compounds, and biological activity of these plants and addresses the cultivation and sustainable production of aquatic and wetland plants. Features: Describes the biological activity of a large collection of aquatic plants. Color photographs highlight each plant’s ethnobotanical characteristics, and structural formulae show their chemical constituents. Contributions come from leading scientists from countries including the United States, India, Mauritius, South Africa, and Cyprus. Aquatic Plants: Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Applications is a valuable resource for academics conducting research on aquatic plants and for professionals in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries who are involved with the therapeutic applications of these plants and their sustainable usage.




Seagrasses: Biology, Ecology and Conservation


Book Description

Seagrasses are unique plants; the only group of flowering plants to recolonise the sea. They occur on every continental margin, except Antarctica, and form ecosystems which have important roles in fisheries, fish nursery grounds, prawn fisheries, habitat diversity and sediment stabilisation. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of research and information on all aspects of seagrass biology. However the compilation of all this work into one book has not been attempted previously. In this book experts in 26 areas of seagrass biology present their work in chapters which are state-of–the-art and designed to be useful to students and researchers alike. The book not only focuses on what has been discovered but what exciting areas are left to discover. The book is divided into sections on taxonomy, anatomy, reproduction, ecology, physiology, fisheries, management, conservation and landscape ecology. It is destined to become the chosen text on seagrasses for any marine biology course.




Current Trends in Marine Biology


Book Description

The oceans and the marine environment, covering about 70% of the earth, are critically important to humans. Marine biology provides an understanding of the various organisms that inhabit this essential ecosystem. Recently, biologists encompassing a broad interdisciplinary community of researchers and industrialists have gained enormous interest in understanding the enigmas of survival, the food web, primary production, natural products, interactions and competition, communication, reproduction, evolution, diversity, fouling and many other aspects pertaining to the marine ecosystem. This book encompasses original and internationally significant contributions from all fields of marine biology that promote understanding of the current marine environment and its life forms. It offers insights from a range of scientific sub-disciplines, and will prove beneficial for students, researchers, scientists and industrialists. It addresses topics such as bioremediation, authentication, biodiversity, as well as commercial utility.




Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science


Book Description

The study of estuaries and coasts has seen enormous growth in recent years, since changes in these areas have a large effect on the food chain, as well as on the physics and chemistry of the ocean. As the coasts and river banks around the world become more densely populated, the pressure on these ecosystems intensifies, putting a new focus on environmental, socio-economic and policy issues. Written by a team of international expert scientists, under the guidance of Chief Editors Eric Wolanski and Donald McClusky, the Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, Ten Volume Set examines topics in depth, and aims to provide a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Most up-to-date reference for system-based coastal and estuarine science and management, from the inland watershed to the ocean shelf Chief editors have assembled a world-class team of volume editors and contributing authors Approach focuses on the physical, biological, chemistry, ecosystem, human, ecological and economics processes, to show how to best use multidisciplinary science to ensure earth's sustainability Provides a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Features up-to-date chapters covering a full range of topics




Biology and Ecology of Antarctic Krill


Book Description

This book gives a unique insight into the current knowledge of krill population dynamics including distribution, biomass, production, recruitment, growth and mortality rates. Detailed analysis is provided on food and feeding, reproduction and krill behaviour. The volume provides an overview on the aspects of natural challenges to the species, which involve predation, parasites and the commercial exploitation of the resource and its management. A chapter on genetics shows the results of population subdivision and summarizes recent work on sequencing transcriptomes for studying gene function as part of the physiology of live krill. The focus of Chapter 4 is on physiological functions such as biochemical composition, metabolic activity and growth change with ontogeny and season; and will demonstrate which environmental factors are the main drivers for variability. Further discussed in this chapter are the bottle necks which occur in the annual life cycle of krill, and the mechanisms krill have adapted to cope with severe environmental condition.




Marine Algae


Book Description

This book is divided into three thematic areas. The first covers a revision of the taxonomy of algae, based on the algae portal, as well as the general aspects of biology and the methodologies used in this branch of marine biology. The second subject area focuses on the use of algae in environmental assessment, with an intensive implementation in Western economies and some emerging economies. The third topic is the potential use of algae in various industries including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agricultural fertilizers, and the emerging biofuels industries.