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This edited book presents recent developments in the field of plant biotechnology involving highly efficient micropropagation for the commercial exploitation of nanomaterials (such as silver, cobalt, copper, zinc, magnesium, silicon, iron, nickel, manganese, and selenium nanoparticles, etc.). The book covers the concept, preparation, and synthesis of metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles, as well as their application in plant cell, tissue, and organ culture. Metal nanoparticles have gained significant attention in various fields, including plant cell, tissue, and organ culture. Their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties make them attractive candidates for applications in plant science. Nanomaterials are applied as plant growth regulators to improve plantlet quality by enhancing the quality of in vitro shoots, their growth, and development at both in vitro and ex vitro stages. Since then, the application of nanomaterials in micropropagation has paved the way for replacing previous culture mediums with new nanoparticle mediums, bringing better efficiency and simplicity to plant propagation operations. The book discusses mechanisms, explant surface disinfection, media sterilization, abnormal phenomena, morphogenesis, physiological-biochemical processes, and the accumulation of economically valuable crop compounds in culture mediums supplemented or replaced by metal ions with metal nanoparticles. This book will interest teachers, researchers, scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. Additionally, it serves as additional reading for undergraduate and graduate students in agriculture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental science.

This book aims at bringing out comprehensive information on cropping systems modelling in the world. The major focus of this book is to address the integration of soil, plant and environmental interactions for climate smart agriculture. This book covers aspects of application of Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) for climate smart agriculture. Step-by-step details of application of modelling approaches used for various cropping systems under changing climate are provided which are being adopted by farmers in the world. The book is enriched with figures or diagrams to show the various mechanisms involved to support the decision making for climate change adaptations. Essential information is given regarding crop models calibration, evaluation and application and every individual chapter is comprised of a specific cropping system. Further contents include integration of climate models and crop models for refining the decisions for sustaining the production of various cropping systems for climate smart agriculture. This book assists the agricultural scientists involved in research regarding climate smart agriculture for improving the standards of agricultural research for ensuring food security under changing climate. This is also equally useful for policy makers being involved in future planning.

Food Science and Technology: Fundamentals and Innovation presents the aspects of microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, and process engineering required for the successful selection, preservation, processing, packaging, and distribution of quality food. It is a valuable resource for researchers and students in food science & technology and food industry professionals and entrepreneurs. There are two new chapters in the 2nd Ed. COVID-19 and food supply chain as well as climate-smart food science.

Enzyme Biotechnology for Environmental Sustainability discusses recent applications of enzyme biotechnology in various industrial sectors and state-of-the-art information on novel microbial enzyme technologies for a sustainable environment. The book describes in detail the latest developments and modern methods in microbial enzyme biotechnology for wider application in bioremediation, cleaner technology for industries and waste management, green chemistry and pharmaceutical biotechnology, sustainable textiles, food production and biodegradation, and other industries. The chapters cover topics such as genetic engineering, protein engineering, nanotechnological advances of microbial enzymes, computational tools for engineering enzymes, and health risk assessment of enzymes in different sectors. With contributors from an array of experts in the field, Enzyme Biotechnology for Environmental Sustainability is an informative reference for researchers, biotechnologists, microbiologists, environmental scientists, graduate and post-graduate students working in the area of enzyme technology and their biomedical, environmental, and industrial applications. - Includes new-methods and up-to-date information on modern methods with respect to its application in pharmaceuticals, textiles, food fermentation, and many other related fields - Provides in-depth information about the recent applications of enzyme biotechnology in different industrial sectors - Focuses on the rapid developments and biotechnological advances in microbial enzymology to enhance industrial and environmental sustainability

This book explores the role of nanotechnology in the delivery of natural phytoconstituents and cosmeceuticals. It presents polymeric nanocarriers, lipid-based nanocarriers, metal/metal oxide nanocarriers, protein nanocarriers, and dendrimers for the delivery of phytoconstituents. Further, it focuses on the usage of phytocompounds in various cosmeceutical products and nano delivery technologies used in the delivery of various cosmeceuticals. Finally, the book reviews the toxicity issues of nanoparticles in the delivery of phytoconstituents and cosmeceuticals and regulatory aspects for clinical applications of nano phytomedicines. This book is helpful for academicians and researchers working in pharmaceutical sciences, nano science, material science, plant science, and cosmetic science.

This edited book is a comprehensive compilation of applications of plant molecular farming in various fields including agriculture, industry and medicine, using different plant/crop systems as bioreactors for the bulk production of products of interest. The book places special emphasis on plant molecular farming being utilized for the bulk production of biologics, industrial enzymes, vaccines, drugs and recombinant pharmaceutical proteins.Plant molecular farming (PMF) is an upcoming promising interdisciplinary subject, and therefore the book contains contributions from experts across the disciplines. The utilization of plant viral vectors to produce biologics, virus-like particles and antimicrobial peptides via PMF have been highlighted. Molecular farming for the bulk production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins and various types of human and veterinary vaccines in different crops/plants and genetically modified seeds has been included. The process of scaling up to manufacturing capacity, product formation by bioprocessing of plant cell suspension culture, and bioreactor engineering have been incorporated. Lastly, the book provides special coverage on utilizing PMF made products to control neglected tropical diseases and plant-made antigens as immunotherapies for allergic and autoimmune diseases.The book has chapters from leading experts on the subject, making it equally beneficial for researchers, policy planners, industrialists, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, and students of various related disciplines.

This book presents research on biomass pretreatments, which are a fundamental part of bioethanol fuel production to make biomass more accessible. This book also includes an introductory section on the bioethanol fuels.Bioethanol Fuel Production Processes. I: Biomass Pretreatments is the first volume in the Handbook of Bioethanol Fuels (Six-Volume Set). The primary pretreatments at the macro level are the biological chemical, hydrothermal, and mechanical pretreatments of the biomass. It also has an introductory section on the biomass pretreatments at large for bioethanol fuel production. The major pretreatments at the micro level are the enzymatic and fungal pretreatments of the biomass as the biological pretreatments, acid, alkaline, ionic liquid, and organic solvent pretreatment pretreatments of the biomass as the chemical pretreatments, steam explosion and liquid hot water pretreatments of the biomass as the hydrothermal pretreatments, and milling, ultrasonic, and microwave pretreatments of the biomass as the mechanical pretreatments.The first volume also indicates that a wide range of pretreatments stand alone or in combination with each other fractionate the biomass to its constituents of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose and improve both sugar and bioethanol fuel yield, making this bioethanol fuel more competitive in relation to crude oil- and natural gas-based fossil fuels.This first volume is a valuable resource for the stakeholders primarily in the research fields of energy and fuels, chemical engineering, environmental science and engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, agricultural sciences, food science and engineering, materials science, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, plant sciences, water resources, economics, business, management, transportation science and technology, ecology, public, environmental and occupational health, social sciences, toxicology, multidisciplinary sciences, and humanities among others.

This open access book provides the first comprehensive coverage of the wheat genome sequence since the publication of the draft and reference sequences for bread wheat and durum wheat. It presents an overview and all aspects of the gold standard sequence of the bread wheat genome, IWGSC RefSeq v1.0 and its subsequent improvements through 2022 (IWGSC RefSeq v2.1), as well as the sequencing of multiple elite wheat varieties, durum wheat, and ancient wheat. The book provides a broad and extensive review of the resources, tools, and methodologies available for exploiting the wheat genome sequence for crop improvement and studying fundamental questions related to the structure, function, and evolution of the wheat genome. Wheat (Tritcum aestivum L.) is the most widely grown crop in the world, contributing approximately 20 percent of total calories and more protein in human diets than any other single source. This book is useful to students, teachers, and scientists in academia and industry interested in gaining an understanding of the wheat genome and its application as well as plant scientists generally interested in polyploid plant species.

This book offers a comprehensive and authoritative review of bioactive substances found in plant underground stems, roots, rhizomes, corms, and tubers from all around the world. Tubers and starchy roots are plants that store edible starch content in underground stems, roots, rhizomes, corms, and tubers. They are a key source for both human and animal consumption and are rich in carbohydrates. They are widely used as industrial crops as well. Phytochemicals found in tubers and roots, such as phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids, have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and antibacterial properties. Except for common potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava, the nutritional and health benefits of many tuberous crops have not yet been adequately investigated. This book sheds new insights into these topics by addressing several plant metabolites found in storage organs, which can be seen as scientifically neglected even though they have a high economic relevance as food and pharmaceutical sources. Divided into 6 parts, this book discusses how bioactive chemicals found in plant storage organs are synthesized and how their bioactive principles are specifically expressed in underground stems, roots, rhizomes, corms, and tubers. Additionally, each chapter includes background information on the plant, its parts, its nutritional makeup, chemical components, and biological functions. Given its breadth, the book appeals to a wide readership, from scholars through graduate and post-graduate students to professionals in the industry.

This book sheds light on this global environmental issue and proposes solutions to reduce contamination through multi-disciplinary approaches. Water is considered a vital resource because it is necessary for all aspects of human and ecosystem survival. However, due to natural processes and anthropogenic activities, various pollutants have been added to the groundwater system. Among these, heavy metals are some of the most serious pollutants. Cd, a toxic heavy metal used in Ni-Cd batteries, the coloration of plastic and various discarded electronic products released into the water system causes serious health issues. The chronic exposure to Cd produces a wide variety of acute and chronic effects in humans.This edited book brings together a diverse group of researchers to address the challenges posed by global mass poisoning caused by cadmium contamination of water bodies. This book contains three sections. The first section describes the different sources and distribution of cadmium in water ecosystem. The second section explains the health risks linked to cadmium toxicity. The third section addresses sustainable cadmium toxicity mitigation strategies and the potential applications of recent biological technology in providing solutions.

For sustainable environmental management as a whole, the roles of phytoremediation and biofortification as two sides of the same coin must be highlighted. Phytoremediation is a process in which biological organisms are used to eliminate or nullify an environmental pollutant by a metabolic course of action. Biofortification, in contrast, is an agrarian process that enhances the micronutrient content of a food crop through plant breeding, genetic modification, use of enriched fertilizers, or management of agricultural practices. These two strategies, although targeting different objectives, both work on the same principle of the bio-extraction process that involves uptake, accretion, removal, and modification of micro- and macro-nutrient elements from the soil. This volume offers a comprehensive overview of phytoremediation and biofortification of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Cd, etc., and illustrates the emerging and innovative combination of these technologies.With chapters written by experts, the book highlights a wide range of topics and discusses the integration of advanced phytoremediation and biofortification approaches for sustainable ecological and health management. Topics include phytoremediation and biofortification strategies that use nanotechnology; algae, fungi, and other plants; CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering; and more for decontamination of water and soil and for fortifying plants against climate change, toxic chemicals, and other challenges.Key features: reviews and integrates the currently available information on phytoremediation and biofortification from molecular, biochemical, and physiological levels provides a direction towards implementation of programs and practices to enable the sustainable production of crops, resilient to climatic alterations This volume will be valuable for investigators who are working or have an interest in sustainable environmental management as well as for research students, teachers, scientists, and engineers, whether in academia, industry, or government, and those who have an interest in environmental remediation and micronutrient fields.

This contributed volume dives into the critical intersection of climate adaptation, vulnerability to hazards, and the imperative of decarbonization in fortifying global food and nutritional security. This comprehensive exploration aims to shed light on the challenges our food systems face in the wake of climate change, and the strategies required to ensure resilience and sustainability. In the face of escalating climate challenges, securing sustenance demands a comprehensive approach. Climate adaptation becomes paramount, as agricultural systems struggle with increased vulnerabilities to various hazards. From extreme weather events to shifting precipitation patterns, the agricultural landscape is under constant threat. The decarbonization imperative emerges as a critical strategy, addressing the dual goals of mitigating climate change and enhancing food and nutritional resilience. By reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to sustainable practices, we not only contribute to global climate goals but also fortify food systems against environmental shocks. This integrated approach acknowledges the intricate connections between climate, agriculture, and nutrition, emphasizing the urgency of concerted efforts to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for food production and consumption. This book includes in-depth case studies from different regions, showcasing the diverse impacts of climate change on food systems. This book will integrate insights from multiple disciplines such as environmental science, agriculture, policy studies, and community engagement, providing a more holistic understanding of the issues at hand. It will serve as a valuable resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking in-depth knowledge on these interconnected topics.

This book provides a comprehensive view for plant microbe interactions towards stress management and microbiome-assisted approaches in sustainable agriculture. It is divided into four major sections. The book gives insights into the increasing threat of abiotic and biotic stresses and the accompanying challenges to modern agriculture. Through different chapters, the book shows how various microorganisms could ameliorate abiotic and biotic stress, and contribute towards food sustainability and restore ecosystem functioning. It provides a deep understanding of soil microbiome and its interaction with plants, to enhance food security. It further talks about metagenomic approaches for methodological tool for studying the soil microbiome. Separate sections on stress, talk at length about the various abiotic and biotic stresses that plants are faced it. The book culminates with an exciting section on microbiome-assisted approaches for combating stress. It talks about the different microbiomes such as rhizosphere, soil, phyllosphere and endophytic microbiome. The book would be beneficial to students, researchers and course instructors in microbiology, botany, plant pathology and agriculture.

The book spans across the research domains of mechanisation and automation, agrobusiness, food processing and value addition, climate smart agriculture, rural sanitation, agro biotechnology, and rural energy.

This book uses real-world examples from the aquaculture industry to demonstrate how deep technology is assisting farmers and vulnerable communities. Works conducted by Poseidon-AI (a deep tech company involved in the aquaculture sector) in different countries are presented as case studies to show the positive impacts of deep tech involvement in the aquaculture sector. Primary industries, such as fisheries and aquaculture, rely heavily on labor. Furthermore, the manual practices of these farming methods increase material waste and reduce yields, resulting in higher costs and lower revenues. Poikilotherms make up the majority of aquatic animals, and environmental changes have a significant impact on them. This means that, due to climate change, farming of these animals cannot continue in the same way that it has for centuries. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, image processing, sensing, and automation are approaches that can assist these farms in dealing with rapid environmental changes while also assisting farmers in growing their businesses sustainably. This book is of interest to climate change scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, civil workers, and policymakers. Furthermore, the book is a great complimentary material for graduate students of fisheries, aquaculture, ecology, soil science, water management and environmental sciences. All national and international policymakers working in implementation of UNSDGs and sustainability, will find this book a useful read.

This edited book covers various bioinoculants for sustainable crop production under the changing global climate. The book envisages a compilation of articles relevant to the current status of production and use of novel microbial inoculants for different crops and highlights their role in mitigating global climate challenges. These include nutrient deficiencies, salinity, drought, and emerging pathogens. In addition, success stories and commercialization aspects are also discussed. Growing environmental concerns related to climate change can potentially decrease the global yield capacity of agricultural systems. Agricultural productivity is severely affected by major biotic and abiotic factors. The phytomicrobiome plays a critical role in the survival of the holobiont, particularly for plants growing in extreme environments. The use of microbial-based agricultural inputs has a long history, beginning with a broad-scale rhizobial inoculation of legumes in the early twentieth century. Microbial inoculants are considered one of the best and most effective strategies for sustainable agriculture under climate change, and a viable solution to meet the twin challenges of global food security and environmental sustainability. It is therefore imperative to understand the current status and development in the area of bioinoculants from a global perspective. The chapter's focus would be on major agro-ecologies, covering all major crops across the globe, along with the commercialization status of different bioinoculants in different countries The book caters to the needs of the students, faculty, policymakers, and researchers working in the area of microbiology, biotechnology, environmental sciences, and botany.

This edited book covers the applications of molecular markers in the genetic improvement of crop plants. Recent advances in molecular marker techniques such as the development of high-throughput genotyping platforms, marker-assisted selection, and non-coding RNA-based markers have been discussed. Essential information is provided on functional markers, genotype-by-sequencing, and association mapping methodologies that can facilitate accelerated crop breeding programs for increased yield, high nutritional quality, and tolerance to a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses. This volume presents basic information on molecular marker techniques from marker location up to gene cloning. The book includes a description of technical approaches in genome analysis such as comparison of marker systems, positional cloning, and array techniques. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, and plant breeders. The book also serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.

The book provides an overview relevant to various biological mechanisms that regulate carbon exchanges between the major components and their response to climate change. Climate change has a significant impact on people's lives, energy demand, food security, etc. The soil microbial ecology is vital for assessing terrestrial and aquatic carbon cycles and climate feedback. However, the primary concern is the complexity of the soil microbial community and its severely affected functions due to the climate and other global changes. Global warming comprises an assessment of the dynamic interactions and feedback between microbes, plants, and their physical environment due to climate change. The book will address the need to use a multifactor experimental approach to understand how soil microorganisms and their activities adapt to climate change and the implications of carbon cycle feedback. The most pressing concern is a clearer understanding of the biological factors that regulate carbon exchanges between land, oceans, and the atmosphere and how these exchanges will respond to climate change via climate–ecosystem feedbacks, which could augment or quell regional and global climate change. Terrestrial ecosystems play an important role in climate feedback as they produce and absorb greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides. They also strongly contribute to storing enormous amounts of carbon in living vegetation and soils, rendering them a significant global carbon sink. If climate change projections are realistic, such a rapid increase in carbon loss from soil could exacerbate the soil carbon cycle feedback. The book will determine the role of microbial feedback in regulating soil-land-atmosphere carbon exchange under changing climatic conditions at the regional and global levels. The current book will also focus on recent research designed to use beneficial microbes such as plant growth-promoting microorganisms, fungi, endophytic microbes, and others to improve understanding of the interaction and their potential role in promoting advanced management for sustainable agricultural solutions. Understanding the influence on the native microbiome, such as the distribution of methanogens and methanotrophs, nutritional content, microbial biomass, and other factors, is becoming increasingly crucial to establishing climate-resilient agriculture.

Molecular Medical Microbiology, Third Edition presents the latest release in what is considered to be the first book to synthesize new developments in both molecular and clinical research. The molecular age has brought about dramatic changes in medical microbiology, along with great leaps in our understanding of the mechanisms of infectious disease. This third edition is completely updated, reviewed and expanded, providing a timely and helpful update for microbiologists, students and clinicians in the era of increasing use of molecular techniques, changing epidemiology and prevalence, and increasing resistance of many pathogenic bacteria. Written by experts in the field, chapters include cutting-edge information and clinical overviews for each major bacterial group, along with the latest updates on vaccine development, molecular technology and diagnostic technology. - Completely updated and revised edition of this comprehensive and accessible reference on molecular medical microbiology - Includes full color presentations throughout - Delves into in-depth discussions on individual pathogenic bacteria in a system-oriented approach - Includes a clinical overview for each major bacterial group - Presents the latest information on vaccine development, molecular technology and diagnostic technology - Provides more than 100 chapters on all major groups of bacteria

This book aims to inform readers about the recent developments in production, evaluation, and utilization of bioethanol fuels from non-waste feedstocks. It covers the production of bioethanol fuels from first generation starch feedstocks and sugar feedstocks, grass biomass, wood biomass, cellulose, biosyngas, and third generation algae. In this context, there are nine key sections where the first four chapters cover the production of bioethanol fuels from feedstocks at large and non-waste feedstocks.This book shows that pretreatments and hydrolysis of the non-waste feedstocks, fermentation of hydrolysates, and separation and distillation of bioethanol fuels are the fundamental processes for bioethanol fuel production from these non-waste feedstocks with the exception of the biosyngas feedstocks. This book is a valuable resource for the stakeholders primarily in the research fields of energy and fuels, chemical engineering, environmental science and engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, agricultural sciences, food science and engineering, materials science, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, plant sciences, water resources, economics, business and management, transportation science and technology, ecology, public, environmental, and occupational health, social sciences, toxicology, multidisciplinary sciences, and humanities among others

This book brings out the world record of various predatory insects and their role in pestiferous insect management in a safer manner. The main focus of the book is to address the ecological and environmentally safe methods of managing pests of various crops. The utilization of various types of chemical pesticides for our crop protection and food production leads to environmental concerns and health hazards to plants and animals. This book mainly focuses on the distribution and diversity of various predatory insects in different crops. It also sellout the bionomics, biological control potential at a laboratory, controlled fields and natural conditions. Moreover, mass production technology and environmental safety aspects are also highlighted in various chapters. This book is of interest and useful to undergraduates, post-graduates, research scholars and doctoral candidates, extension workers, and agricultural professionals, and also a valuable source of reference to the relevant researchers and students in the region.

This book reviews successes and (remaining) challenges in vaccine development for the selected Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) of Leprosy, Leishmaniasis, Meliodoisis and Tuberculosis, which are a continuous burden for millions of people in affected areas worldwide. Written by frontline researchers, the volume deep-dives into different vaccine strategies, provides biotechnological background information and also tackles animal models in NTD therapeutics research. By bringing together state-of-the-art expert knowledge, the book contributes to the aim of ultimately ending the epidemics of neglected tropical diseases, complying with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Health and Well-Being.The volume highlights the activities of the research network VALIDATE (VAccine deveLopment for complex Intracellular neglecteD pAThogEns), funded by the Medical Research Council in the UK. The four NTDs discussed in the book were selected as these are in the focus of VALIDATE's research.The book targets scientists and clinicians working on NTDs, as well as all readers with a background in biomedicine and interest in vaccine development.This is an open access book.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of medicinal plants and their interaction with abiotic stress in terms of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular variations, and explains the adaptation and tolerance mechanisms involved. It presents various mechanisms that become operative in medicinal plants to combat stressful situations. The book discusses the secondary metabolites and/or bioactive compounds produced in medicinal plants under abiotic stress conditions, and the use of biostimulants and/or phytoprotectants to alleviate the adverse effects of abiotic stresses on medicinal plants. Additionally, it is likely to address opportunities and challenges in molecular and omics studies of medicinal plants under abiotic stress conditions. Overall, the chapters are developed by eminent subject experts with due care and clarity and cover an up-to-date literature review with relevant illustrations. The book would cater to the need of graduate and post-graduate students, researchers as well as scientists, and may attract the attention of pharmaceutical companies/industrialists and health policymakers.

This book is the first comprehensive compilation of current knowledge on mulberry (Morus L.) covering botany, cytogenetics, biodiversity, genetics and breeding, tissue culture and genetic transformation, biotic and abiotic stresses, molecular mapping, QTL identification, whole genome sequencing and elucidation on functional genomics. As mulberry is one of the most economically important trees in Asian countries, it has attracted the attention of both academicians as well as industrialists. Being highly heterozygous due to long juvenile life coupled cross pollination among species, the genetics of this important crop species is yet to be unravelled. Nonetheless, the recent success of sequencing the genomes of haploid and diploid domesticated species has ushered in an era of intense molecular and genetic research to understand this crop well for its better utilization for mankind.In this book, efforts have been made to bring together key information on origin and distribution, taxonomy, morphological features, economic importance, abiotic stress responses, disease and pest resilience, current breeding strategies and their constraints, progress and prospects of gene mapping, elucidation of genes controlling metabolic and physiological pathways, and their utilization in crop improvement which are elaborated in about 250 pages over 13 chapters authored by globally leading experts on the species presented.This book is useful to the sericulture community in the world in general and students, teachers, and scientists in the academia for forage and fruit production, genetics, breeding, pathology, entomology, physiology, molecular genetics, in vitro culture and genetic engineering, and structural and functional genomics. This book is also useful to seed and biofuel industries.

This book looks at the interaction between plants and nanomaterials/nanocomposites, and their effects ecology, the food chain and human health. It focuses on nanomaterials/nanocomposites phytotoxicity, which is an important precondition to promote the application of nanotechnology and to avoid the potential ecological risks. It describes the influencing factors of nanotoxicity of nanomaterials and the mechanisms of these toxic effects and defense mechanisms in plants. The chapters in this book are written by internationally renowned researchers and professionals and provides exciting and remarkable information (on the above-mentioned topics) to the scientist, researcher and student working field of plant biology, agricultural science, nanobiotechnology, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, plant biotechnology and many other interdisciplinary subjects.

El planeta enfrenta varias situaciones que amenazan la supervivencia de las diferentes especies. El cambio climático, la enorme cantidad de residuos generados diariamente con usos marginales, la escasez de almentos y la aparición de enfermedades hacen necesario buscar soluciones sostenibles a dichos problemas. Para abordar estos retos en paises como Colombia, se deben realizar esfuerzos de investigación en campos de aplicación como la biotecnología y los bioprocesos a fin de generar y disponer de conocimiento aplicado que permita la disminución de los impactos negativos causados al medio ambiente y la obtención de productos de alto valor agregado. En este sentido, es de suma importancia para la humanidad la investigación y el desarrollo tecnológico en la conversión de residuos en materias primas para diferentes procesos productivos, el desarrollo de nuevos productos para uso farmacológico, la creación de procesos tecnologicos con propósitos de biorremediación, el tratamiento de residuos de difícil degradación y la devolución de la biomasa lignocelulósica a las granjas productivas como biofertilizantes o alimento para animales, entre otras alternativas. En particular, la utilización de diversos tipos de organismos como hongos, bacterias y microalgas, entre otros, ofrece herramientas importantes y oportunidades para el desarrollo de este tipo de bioprocesos. Este libro se compone de siete capitulos que representan un compendio de temas relacionados con la biotecnología de hongos macromicetos, la producción de bioetanol e integración de procesos y la tecnología de microalgas, así como una compilación de las principales tendencias en biotecnología agroindustrial. Las tecnologías asociadas a estas temáticas ofrecen varias oportunidades para explorar diferentes alternativas de aplicación de la biotecnología en la solución de algunos de los principales problemas que enfrenta actualmente la humanidad, por lo que su comprensión y estudio revisten gran importancia.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the deadliest threats to global public health. This book focuses on dynamics in the landscape of AMR while informing about the latest technologies and strategies to mitigate it. The menace of AMR in different niches, routes of penetration across various domains, socio-economic impact, and the need for a'One Health'approach in mitigating AMR has been emphasized. Factors involved in AMR, underlying mechanisms, and pharmacometrics in developing antimicrobials are highlighted. Emphasis is given to emerging technologies that are sustainable, scalable, and applicable to the global community, such as big data analytics, bioactive agents, phage therapy, and nanotechnology. The book also explores current and alternative treatment strategies to combat AMR, emphasizing the use of nanoparticles to target pathogens and as a viable alternative to antibiotics.

This book is the first comprehensive compilation of deliberations on jute botanical descriptions, germplasm resources, genetic diversity and population structure, DUS test and DNA fingerprinting, interspecific hybridization, classical genetics, cytology and cytogenetics, genetic transformation; and detailed enumeration on molecular mapping, genome sequencing initiatives of three major jute fiber producing countries, interspecific and intergeneric comparative genomics, organellar genomes, elucidation on functional genomics and genomics resources and database. Genetics and genomics of bast fiber development, biotic stress resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and flowering pathways have also been discussed. It also presents a narrative on the power of molecular markers and genomics technology on jute breeding. Altogether, the book contains about 400 pages over 21 chapters authored by internationally reputed experts on the relevant field in this crop. This book will be useful to the students, teachers and scientists in the academia and relevant private companies interested in agronomy, genetics, pathology, entomology, physiology, molecular genetics and breeding, genetic engineering, and structural and functional genomics.

This book presents latest work in the field of plant biotechnology regarding high-efficiency micropropagation for commercial exploitation at low labor and equipment costs. The book consists of 18 chapters on establishing advanced culture systems, techniques as well as latest modification protocols on a variety of crops. It also discusses new methods such as nylon film culture system, light-emitting diode and wireless light-emitting diode system, stem elongation, wounding manipulation and shoot tip removal, in vitro hydroponic and microponic culture system, thin cell layer culture system etc. Plant cell tissue has been developed more than fifty years ago. Since then applications of in vitro plant propagation expanded rapidly all around the world and played as an important role in agricultural and horticultural systems. This book will be of interest to teachers, researchers, scientists, capacity builders and policymakers. Also the book servesas additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences.

Advances in Plant Tissue Culture: Current Developments and Future Trends provides a complete and up-to-date text on all basic and applied aspects of plant tissue cultures and their latest application implications. It will be beneficial for students and early-career researchers of plant sciences and plant/agricultural biotechnology. Plant tissue culture has emerged as a sustainable way to meet the requirements of fresh produces, horticultural crops, medicinal or ornamental plants. Nowadays, plant tissue culture is an emerging filed applied in various aspects, including sustainable agriculture, plant breeding, horticulture and forestry. This book covers the latest technology, broadly applied for crop improvement, clonal propagation, Somatic hybridization Embryo rescue, Germplasm conservation, genetic conservation, or for the preservation of endangered species. However, these technologies also play a vital role in breaking seed dormancy over conventional methods of conservation. - Focuses on plant tissue culture as an emerging field applied in various aspects, including sustainable agriculture, plant breeding, horticulture and forestry - Includes current studies and innovations in biotechnology - Covers commercialization and current perspectives in the field of plant tissue culture techniques

The advanced AI techniques are essential for resolving various problematic aspects emerging in the field of bioinformatics. This book covers the recent approaches in artificial intelligence and machine learning methods and their applications in Genome and Gene editing, cancer drug discovery classification, and the protein folding algorithms among others. Deep learning, which is widely used in image processing, is also applicable in bioinformatics as one of the most popular artificial intelligence approaches. The wide range of applications discussed in this book are an indispensable resource for computer scientists, engineers, biologists, mathematicians, physicians, and medical informaticists.Features: Focusses on the cross-disciplinary relation between computer science and biology and the role of machine learning methods in resolving complex problems in bioinformatics Provides a comprehensive and balanced blend of topics and applications using various advanced algorithms Presents cutting-edge research methodologies in the area of AI methods when applied to bioinformatics and innovative solutions Discusses the AI/ML techniques, their use, and their potential for use in common and future bioinformatics applications Includes recent achievements in AI and bioinformatics contributed by a global team of researchers

The edited book highlights various emerging Omics tools and techniques that are currently being used in the analysis of responses to different abiotic stress in agronomically important cereals and their applications in enhancing tolerance mechanism. Plants are severely challenged by diverse abiotic stress factors such as low water availability (drought), excess water (flooding/ waterlogging), extremes of temperatures (cold, chilling, frost, and heat), salinity, mineral deficiency, and heavy metal toxicity. Agronomically important cereal crops like Rice, Wheat, Maize, Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Barley, Oats, Rye, Foxtail Millets etc. that are the major sources of food material and nutritional components for human health are mostly exposed to abiotic stresses during the critical phases of flowering and grain yield. Different Omics platforms like genomics, transcriptomics proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics, in conjunction with breeding and transgenic technology, and high throughput technologies like next generation sequencing, epigenomics, genome editing and CRISPR-Cas technology have emerged altogether in understanding abiotic stress response and strengthening defense and tolerance mechanism of different cereals. This book is beneficial to different universities and research institutes working with different cereal crops in the areas of stress physiology, stress-associated genes and proteins, genomics, proteomics, genetic engineering, and other fields of molecular plant physiology. The book can also be used as advanced textbook for the course work of research and master's level students. It will be of use to people involved in ecological studies and sustainable agriculture. The proposed book bring together the global leaders working on environmental stress in different cereal crops and motivate scientists to explore new horizons in the relevant areas of research.

Hazardous and Trace Materials in Soil and Plants: Sources, Effects and Management explores the latest advancements in reducing, avoiding and eliminating soil contaminants that challenge the health and safety of agricultural plants. With a focus on minimizing the production of those hazardous substances, controlling their distribution and ensuring safe utilization, the book explores each contributing area and provides insights toward improved, sustainable and secure production. This is an excellent reference resource on both current research and future directions from laboratory research to field applications. The combined impacts of climate change and industrialization have led to increased and diversified threats to the health of the soil in which our food crops are grown, as well as in the plants themselves. This dual-hazard scenario is increasingly recognized as a threat to not just the environment, but to global food security as agricultural soils contaminated with pollutants alter plant metabolism, thus resulting in reduced crop quality and production quantity. - Addresses the challenges of mitigating toxic substances in plants, including agricultural crops - Presents current status and future prospects for managing biotic and abiotic environmental stress factors through plant stress tolerance mechanisms - Includes chapters that address both biotic and abiotic stresses, agricultural and environmental science, toxicology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and molecular studies - Integrates insights and developments between environmental and plant science

This book caters to the need of researchers working in the ever-evolving field of agricultural biotechnology. It discusses and provides in-depth information about latest advancements happening in this field. The book discusses evolution of plant tissue culture techniques, development of doubled haploids technology, role of recombinant-DNA technology in crop improvement. It also provides an insight into the global status of genetically modified crops, use of RNAi technology and mi-RNAs in plant improvement. Chapters are also dedicated for different branches of ‘omics'science including genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics along with the use of molecular markers in tagging and mapping of various genes/QTLs of agronomic importance. This book also covers the role of enzymes and microbes in agriculture in productivity enhancement. It is of interest to teachers, researchers of biotechnology and agriculture scientists. Also the book serves as additional readingmaterial for undergraduate and postgraduate students of biotechnology, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international biotechnologists and agricultural scientists will also find this to be a useful read.

The need for exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of bioresources is undeniable for the survival and growth of mankind. This new book throws light on new and recent research on and development of effective strategies for sustainable utilization of bioresources using modern tools and techniques to help meet this challenge. This volume addresses the utilization of bioresources in therapeutics, in biofuel, in agriculture, and in environmental protection. Beginning with the diverse potential applications of bioresources in food, medicine, and cosmetics, the volume goes on to address the various different underutilized bioresources and their sustainable uses. It discusses important advances in biofuel and patents that highlight recent developments that address the energy crises and the continuously fluctuating cost of petroleum. It explores new renewable energy sources from bioresources and their sustainable utilization in the bioenergy and biofuel industry. Several chapters focus on the sustainable utilization of bioresources in the agricultural sector. The volume considers that developing countries have huge agricultural resources that could be employed for production of value-added byproducts for the sustainable development of a bio-based economy. The book discusses efficient use of underexploited natural bioresources, new chemical approaches for the generation of novel biochemicals, and the applications of genetics approaches for bioresource conservation and production of value-added products. Further, strategies for the production of biopesticides utilizing bioresources are also discussed.

Cash crops are grown and sold for monetary gain and not necessarily for sustenance. They include coffee, tea, coconut, cotton, jute, groundnut, castor, linseed, cocoa, rubber, cassava, soybean, sweet potato, potato, wheat, corn and teff. While some of these crops have been improved for realizing yield potential, breeding of many of them is still in infancy. Crops that underwent rigorous breeding have eventually lost much of the diversity due to extensive cultivation with a few improved varieties and the diversity in less bred species is to be conserved. Over the past years, scholars and policy makers have become increasingly aware of the short and long-run impact of climatic factors on economic, food security, social and political outcomes. Genetic diversity, natural and induced, is much needed for the future generations to sustain food production with more climate resilient crops. In contrast, crop uniformity produced across the farm fields in the form ofimproved varieties is genetically vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, it is essential and challenging to address the issue of compromising between maximizing crop yield under a given set of conditions and minimizing the risk of crop failure when conditions change. Cash crops are grown in an array of climatic conditions. Many of the world's poor still live in rural areas. Many are subsistence farmers, operating very small farms using very little agricultural inputs for achieving marketable outputs. Conserving the diversity of these crops and addressing all issues of crop culture through modern tools of biotechnology and genomics is a real challenge. We believe the focus of this book is to fill an unmet need of this and other grower communities by providing the necessary knowledge, albeit indirectly via the academics, to manage the risks of cash crops breeding through managing genetic diversity.

There is a growing global awareness of the link between good diet and health. This fascinating book reviews various functional foods or nutraceuticals and the bio-active compounds they contain in order to identify the role of bioactive compounds such as nisin, micronutrients, and hydrocolloids in the diet in overall human health. It also provides up-to-date information on functional elements like antioxidants, dietary fibres, pre & probiotics, vitamins and mineral-enriched foods in the human diet. Consisting of fifteen chapters, the book offers a systematic review of the key factors in the preparation of functional foods from selected sources, and also describes the processing, preservation and packaging of a range of functional food products. This book is a valuable resource for students and researchers working in the field of food science, food technology, and nutrition, as well as for industry experts.

This book provides a comprehensive review of recent innovations in food science that are being used to tackle the challenges of food safety, nutritional security and sustainability. With a major focus on developing nations, like India, the book is divided into four main sections. The first section provides an overview of the food industry, while the second explores food safety in various segments, with an interesting account of street food safety – an important, yet often neglected aspect for safety parameters. The third section, on nutritional security and sustainability, explores various ways of maximizing nutrition and optimizing waste management in the food industry. The book closes with a section on emerging technologies and innovations, which introduces readers to some of the latest technologies in the food industry, including advances in food processing, packaging, nanotechnology, etc. The topics have been divided into 25 different chapters, which offer a diverse blend of perspectives on innovations in the developing world. Ideally suited for students and researchers in the food sciences, the book is also an interesting read for industry experts in Food Science and Technology.

Plant improvement has shifted its focus from yield, quality and disease resistance to factors that will enhance commercial export, such as early maturity, shelf life and better processing quality. Conventional plant breeding methods aiming at the improvement of a self-pollinating crop, such as wheat, usually take 10-12 years to develop and release of the new variety. During the past 10 years, significant advances have been made and accelerated methods have been developed for precision breeding and early release of crop varieties. This edited volume summarizes concepts dealing with germplasm enhancement and development of improved varieties based on innovative methodologies that include doubled haploidy, marker assisted selection, marker assisted background selection, genetic mapping, genomic selection, high-throughput genotyping, high-throughput phenotyping, mutation breeding, reverse breeding, transgenic breeding, shuttle breeding, speed breeding, low cost high-throughput field phenotyping, etc. It is an important reference with special focus on accelerated development of improved crop varieties.

Medicinal plants are globally valuable sources of herbal products. Plant-based remedies have been used for centuries and have had no alternative in the western medicine repertoire, while others and their bioactive derivatives are in high demand and have been the central focus of biomedical research. As Medicinal plants move from fringe to mainstream with a greater number of individuals seeking treatments free of side effects, considerable attention has been paid to utilize plant-based products for the prevention and cure of human diseases. An unintended consequence of this increased demand, however, is that the existence of many medicinal plants is now threatened, due to their small population size, narrow distribution area, habitat specificity, and destructive mode of harvesting. In addition, climate change, habitat loss and genetic drift have further endangered these unique species. Although extensive research has been carried out on medicinal and aromatic plants, there is relatively little information available on their global distribution patterns, conservation and the associated laws prevailing.This book reviews the current status of threatened medicinal plants in light of increased surge in the demand for herbal medicine. It brings together chapters on both wild (non-cultivated) and domestic (cultivated) species having therapeutic values. Thematically, conventional and contemporary approaches to conservation of such threatened medicinal plants with commercial feasibility are presented. The topics of interest include, but not limited to, biotechnology, sustainable development, in situ and ex situ conservation, and even the relevance of IPR on threatened medicinal plants. We believe this book is useful to horticulturists, botanists, policy makers, conservationists, NGOs and researchers in the academia and the industry sectors.

U-Healthcare Monitoring Systems: Volume One: Design and Applications focuses on designing efficient U-healthcare systems which require the integration and development of information technology service/facilities, wireless sensors technology, wireless communication tools, and localization techniques, along with health management monitoring, including increased commercialized service or trial services. These u-healthcare systems allow users to check and remotely manage the health conditions of their parents. Furthermore, context-aware service in u-healthcare systems includes a computer which provides an intelligent service based on the user's different conditions by outlining appropriate information relevant to the user's situation. This volume will help engineers design sensors, wireless systems and wireless communication embedded systems to provide an integrated u-healthcare monitoring system. This volume provides readers with a solid basis in the design and applications of u-healthcare monitoring systems. - Provides a solid basis in the design and applications of the u-healthcare monitoring systems - Illustrates the concept of the u-healthcare monitoring system and its requirements, with a specific focus on the medical sensors and wireless sensors communication - Presents a multidisciplinary volume that includes different applications of the monitoring system which highlight the main features for biomedical sensor devices

Early anthropological evidence for plant use as medicine is 60,000 years old as reported from the Neanderthal grave in Iraq. The importance of plants as medicine is further supported by archeological evidence from Asia and the Middle East. Today, around 1.4 billion people in South Asia alone have no access to modern health care, and rely instead on traditional medicine to alleviate various symptoms. On a global basis, approximately 50 to 80 thousand plant species are used either natively or as pharmaceutical derivatives for life-threatening conditions that include diabetes, hypertension and cancers. As the demand for plant-based medicine rises, there is an unmet need to investigate the quality, safety and efficacy of these herbals by the “scientific methods”. Current research on drug discovery from medicinal plants involves a multifaceted approach combining botanical, phytochemical, analytical, and molecular techniques. For instance, high throughput robotic screens have been developed by industry; it is now possible to carry out 50,000 tests per day in the search for compounds which act on a key enzyme or a subset of receptors. This and other bioassays thus offer hope that one may eventually identify compounds for treating a variety of diseases or conditions. However, drug development from natural products is not without its problems. Frequent challenges encountered include the procurement of raw materials, the selection and implementation of appropriate high-throughput bioassays, and the scaling-up of preparative procedures. Research scientists should therefore arm themselves with the right tools and knowledge in order to harness the vast potentials of plant-based therapeutics. The main objective of Plant and Human Health is to serve as a comprehensive guide for this endeavor. Volume 1 highlights how humans from specific areas or cultures use indigenous plants. Despite technological developments, herbal drugs still occupy a preferential place in a majority of the population in the third world and have slowly taken roots as alternative medicine in the West. The integration of modern science with traditional uses of herbal drugs is important for our understanding of this ethnobotanical relationship. Volume 2 deals with the phytochemical and molecular characterization of herbal medicine. Specifically, It will focus on the secondary metabolic compounds which afford protection against diseases. Lastly, Volume 3 focuses on the physiological mechanisms by which the active ingredients of medicinal plants serve to improve human health. Together this three-volume collection intends to bridge the gap for herbalists, traditional and modern medical practitioners, and students and researchers in botany and horticulture.

This book presents selected papers from the 8th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Agriculture, Food and Environment (HAICTA 2017) which examine sustainable rural development in the context of environmental, economic, and the socio-cultural dimension. This book raises awareness of the importance of sustainable management in agriculture using examples of actual industry cases, sustainable management practices, new forms of rural cooperation and entrepreneurship.

This book explores various aspects of thermophilic and halophilic microbes from Eurasian ecosystems, which have proved to offer a unique reservoir of genetic diversity and biological source of extremophiles. It also covers the biotechnological uses of extremophiles, and their potential use in agricultural and industrial applications. The topics addressed include but are not limited to: diversity and microbial ecology, microbe-environment interactions, adaptation and evolution, element cycling and biotechnological applications of thermophiles and halophiles in Eurasian ecosystems. In order to review the progress made in biology and biotechnological applications of thermophiles and halophiles, the book combines review papers and results of original research from various specialists and authorities in the field. It includes several chapters describing the microbial diversity and ecology of geothermal springs distributed among the territory of various Eurasian countries, such as Armenia, Bulgaria, China, Georgia, India, Italy, Pakistan and Turkey. A dedicated chapter discusses selected aspects of thermophilic chemolithotrophic bacteria isolated from mining sites (sulfide ores); detailed descriptions of various thermophile microbes isolated from high-temperature environments and their biotechnological potential are also provided. Subsequent chapters describe the diversity and ecology of halophilic microbes harbored in saline and hypersaline lakes in Iran, Turkey and China; soil and plant microbiomes in saline arid lands of Uzbekistan; microbial diversity in Asian deserts; and the potential applications of thermophilic and halophilic microbes as exopolysaccharide (EPS) producers, focusing on the chemistry and applications of the EPS they produce. We hope that this book will prove valuable as an up-to-date overview of the current state of research on Eurasian extremophiles in general and thermophiles and halophiles in particular. Many questions remain unanswered, and we hope that it will stimulate further studies in this intriguing and promising field.

Microalgae are one of the most studied potential sources of biofuels and bioenergy. This book covers the key steps in the production of renewable biofuels from microalgae - strain selection, culture systems, inorganic carbon utilisation, lipid metabolism and quality, hydrogen production, genetic engineering, biomass harvesting, extraction. Greenhouse gas and techno-economic modelling are reviewed as is the 100 year history of microalgae as sources of biofuels and of commercial-scale microalgae culture. A summary of relevant basic standard methods used in the study of microalgae culture is provided. The book is intended for the expert and those starting work in the field.​