This book provides new information relating recent advances made in the field of plant secondary products. Besides the updation of chapters this edition also includes chapters on secondary metabolites of microorganisms (fungi and lichen).

The book provides valuable information on wild plants and their ethnopharmacological properties, discussion on ethnobotany, phytotherapy, diversity, chemical and pharmacological properties including antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiprotozal properties. The chapters include a wide range of case studies, giving updated evidence on importance of wild plant resources from different countries including Nepal, India, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, Peru, etc. In addition, some specific species are used to explain their potential properties. Discussing traditional usage and pharmacological properties of wild plants, this book is entirely different from other related publications and useful for the researchers working in the areas of conservation biology, botany, ethnobiology, ethnopharmacology, policy making, etc.

This work presents an authoritative examination of the inter-relationships between the law, intellectual property rights, biodiversity protection, biotechnology and the protection of traditional knowledge. It includes twenty-eight chapters from dozens of international legal and scientific experts containing a comprehensive assessment of the issues complete with thorough references; and an essential references for all legal libraries, legal practitioners, science libraries, corporations involved in pharmaceuticals or biotechnology and conservationists and other NGOs. How do we promote global economic development, while simultaneously preserving local biological and cultural diversity? This authoritative volume, written by leading legal experts and biological and social scientists from around the world, aims to address this question in all of its complexity.

Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology, Third Edition is a versatile textbook that provides students with a solid foundation to pursue employment in the biotech industry and can later serve as a practical reference to ensure success at each stage in their career. The authors focus on basic principles and methods while skillfully including recent innovations and industry trends throughout. Fundamental laboratory skills are emphasized, and boxed content provides step by step laboratory method instructions for ease of reference at any point in the students' progress. Worked through examples and practice problems and solutions assist student comprehension. Coverage includes safety practices and instructions on using common laboratory instruments. Key Features: Provides a valuable reference for laboratory professionals at all stages of their careers. Focuses on basic principles and methods to provide students with the knowledge needed to begin a career in the Biotechnology industry. Describes fundamental laboratory skills. Includes laboratory scenario-based questions that require students to write or discuss their answers to ensure they have mastered the chapter content. Updates reflect recent innovations and regulatory requirements to ensure students stay up to date. Tables, a detailed glossary, practice problems and solutions, case studies and anecdotes provide students with the tools needed to master the content.

Fresh? Juice? Paste? Canned? Stewed? Diced? Pureed? Sun Dried? Salsa? Sauce? Ketchup? Rare is the cuisine that does not make use of the tomato in some way, shape, or form, and the resulting culinary popularity of the tomato has led to its proliferation in fields and farms around the world. While some may still argue whether the tomato is a fruit or a vegetable, few would argue that tomato crops are highly lucrative, attractive to farmers in both developing and developed countries and on large and small farms alike. In fact, for those crops with significant global volume and market share, tomatoes are the highest valued among those crops that lack an affiliation to mind-altering drugs. But, the tomato can be a persnickety critter. The tomato doesn't like it too hot, too chilly, too wet, too dry, or too fertile. Many don't ripen at the same time. Most are easily bruised. And, the selective breeding that has yielded a larger, more attractive, and deep red tomato has also mercilessly drained much of the taste and flavor from a once sweet and delectable fruit. Enter the world of sensors and modern sensing technology. The Internet of Things (IOT), when using well chosen, well networked, and well aggregated sensors, has shown tremendous potential to support precision agriculture, providing a more detailed picture of crops than was previously possible using conventional crop monitoring techniques. But, the stringent resources and tight profit margins that are a fact of life among many tomato growing operations, large and small, mean that sensor technologies must be chosen and used carefully. There is no doubt that each sensor must earn its keep in producing the perfect tomato. With that in mind, this book explores key opportunities to marry the potential of sensors that are networked within the IOT to the needs of tomato production in ways that are economically fruitful, technologically robust, and sustainable overall.

World-wide there are more overweight and obese people (1 billion) than there are malnourished (0.8 billion). Today the challenge lies not just in meeting basic nutritional needs, but providing additional protective ingredients to help prevent the major chronic diseases associated with obesity. Biotechnology has become an important tool in recent years and scientists are now investigating advanced and novel strategies for the improvement of the functional aspects of food and food ingredients in an effort to manage the current and emerging health care challenges. Functional Foods and Biotechnology focuses the information from the recently published Food Biotechnology to illuminate the role of biochemical processing in the improvement of functional foods with targeted health benefits and increased nutrient value. Applying molecular, biochemical, cellular, and bioprocessing concepts, the text explores the design of functional food ingredients; the bio-mobilization of major nutrients such as starch, lipids, vitamins, and minerals; and the use of specific phenolic metabolites from common botanical species that have been found effective in disease prevention. Many chapters are concerned with the role of ingredients in oxidation-linked disease, which is the core basis for the major chronic diseases. Specialty topics include non-nutritive sweeteners, immune factors from eggs, phytochemicals as antimicrobials, and passive immune improvement with pro- and pre-biotics. The text provides conceptual insights to key emerging techniques for improving food production and processing, enhancing food safety and quality, and increasing nutritional values and functional aspects of food for better human health. Introducing key concepts in biotechnology and the improvement of functional foods and nutrient sources, Functional Foods and Biotechnology addresses specific strategies and potential solutions to poor nutrition, be it caloric excess or deficiency, and the related health challenges facing the world today.

Although numerous studies have been made of the Western educated political elite of colonial Nigeria in particular, and of Africa in general, very few have approached the study from a perspective that analyzes the impacts of indigenous institutions on the lives, values, and ideas of these individuals. This book is about the diachronic impact of indigenous and Western agencies in the upbringing, socialization, and careers of the colonial Igbo political elite of southeastern Nigeria. The thesis argues that the new elite manifests the continuity of traditions and culture and therefore their leadership values and the impact they brought on African society cannot be fully understood without looking closely at their lived experiences in those indigenous institutions where African life coheres. The key has been to explore this question at the level of biography, set in the context of a carefully reconstructed social history of the particular local communities surrounding the elite figures. It starts from an understanding of their family and village life, and moves forward striving to balance the familiar account of these individuals in public life, with an account of the ongoing influences from family, kinship, age grades, marriage and gender roles, secret societies, the church, local leaders and others. The result is not only a model of a new approach to African elite history, but also an argument about how to understand these emergent leaders and their peers as individuals who shared with their fellow Africans a dynamic and complex set of values that evolved over the six decades of colonialism.

Describes technological advancements for bioethanol production from lignocellulosic waste Provides a roadmap for the production and utilization of 2G biofuels Introduces the strategic role of metabolic engineering in the development of 2G biofuels Discusses technological advancements, life cycle assessment and prospects Explores novel potential lignocellulosic biomass for 2G biofuels

Chemistry of Peptide Synthesis is a complete overview of how peptides are synthesized and what techniques are likely to generate the most desirable reactions. Incorporating elements from the author's role of Career Investigator of the Medical Research Council of Canada and his extensive teaching career, the book emphasizes learning rather than memorization. The text uses clear language and schematics to present concepts progressively, carefully excluding unnecessary details and providing a historical context in which to appreciate the development of the field.

The author first outlines the fundamentals of peptide synthesis, focusing on the intermediates in aminolysis reactions. Gradually the text builds into discussions of the applicability of coupling reactions, stereomutation, methods of deprotection, solid-phase synthesis, side-chain protection and side reactions, and amplification on coupling methods. The book clarifies the differences between oxazolones from amino-acid derivativesand segments and the implications of their formation on the chiral integrity of products. The author offers a critical analysis of the mechanisms of coupling reactions and the desirability of preactivation. The text explains hindrance and the nucleophilicity of tertiary amines and rationalizes their use. The book also explores mechanisms of acidolysis and the dual role of nucleophiles as reactants and scavengers.

Chemistry of Peptide Synthesis supplies a broad, yet straightforward approach that appeals to those with limited knowledge of organic chemistry or chemists from other fields as well as in-depth coverage that can be appreciated by experienced peptidologists.

This up-to-date reference book compiles the recent developments, innovations, and perspectives on second and third-generation bioplastics. It discusses the main commercialized bioplastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Chapters include the use of alternative raw materials and innovations in bioplastic production processes to reduce costs and decrease environmental impacts. It covers bioplastic production from lignocellulosic biomass, sugars, or oils produced by microbes and municipal waste material. It also includes techno-economic aspects. The book is meant for researchers and industry experts in biotechnology, environmental sciences, and applied microbiology.

"COVID-19 and Omics Technologies" is a comprehensive, integrative assessment of recent information and knowledge collected on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 during the pandemic based on omics technologies. It demonstrates how omics technologies could better investigate the infectious disease and propose solutions to the current concerns. The value of multi-omics technologies in understanding disease etiology and host response, discovering infection biomarkers and illness prediction, identifying vaccine candidates, discovering therapeutic targets, and tracing pathogen evolution is discussed in this book. These factors combine to make it a valuable resource to enhance understanding of both "Omics technology" and "COVID-19" as a disease. The book covers the most recent understanding of COVID-19 and the applications of cutting-edge studies, making it accessible to a large multidisciplinary readership. The book explains how high-throughput technologies and systems biology might assist to solve the pandemic's challenges and deconstruct and appreciate the substantial contributions that omics technologies have made in predicting the path of this unforeseeable pandemic. Features: In-depth summary of clinical presentation, epidemiological impact, and long-term sequelae of COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic overview of omics-based approaches to the study of COVID-19 biology. Recent research results and some pointers to future advancements in methodologies used. Detailed examples from recent studies on COVID-19 encompassing different omics methodologies. A detailed description of methodologies and notes on the applications of state-of-the-art technologies. This book is intended for scientists who need to understand the biology of COVID-19 from the perspective of omics investigations, as well as researchers who want to employ omics-based technologies in disease biology.

Basics of proteins and proteomics techniques In-depth understanding of mass-spectrometry and quantitative proteomics An overview of interactomics and its application for translational research. Advancement in the field of proteomics and challenges in clinical applications.

In agriculture, microbial biotechnology covers a wide array of subjects ranging from biofertilizers to biological control of pests and diseases; from biological N 2 -fixation to lignocellulose degradation; from production of biomass and biofuels to genetically engineered plants. Similarly, microbial biotechnology in aquaculture touches several aspects such as biofilms, bioprocessing of biomaterials (metabolites, enzymes, proteins, exopolysaccharides, etc.), application of biofertilizers, probiotics, bio-remediation of contaminated water, etc. This book is an attempt to highlight the significant aspects of the vast subject area like application of microbial biotechnology in agriculture and aquaculture.

Maximizing the potential of RNA interference in functional genomics - as well as in the development of therapeutics - continues to be at the forefront of biomedical research. Unlike journal articles, Gene Silencing by RNA Interference: Technology and Application combines essential background to the RNAi field with practical techniques designed by renowned researchers to provide the most diverse and in-depth examination of the subject yet. This book describes methods and protocols for gene silencing and RNA interference. Each chapter provides necessary background to the subject and then gives detailed methods in easy-to-follow steps, along with troubleshooting hints and tips. Following a general and historical introduction, chapters two through eight focus on technical details of the various methods of siRNA design, chemical and enzymatic production, plasmid- and virus-mediated intracellular expression, and other RNAi tools. Chapter nine discusses the exogenous delivery of siRNAs into cells, and the final chapters of the book detail the application of RNAi to dissect gene function in a number of biological systems, including cell-free systems, cultured cells, and whole organisms. From the design and production of RNAi tools to their applications, Gene Silencing by RNA Interference: Technology and Application is the first to present the entire spectrum of activity, design, production, and delivery of RNAi reagents, providing a welcome guide for both academic and commercial use.

Comprehensive Biotechnology, Third Edition, Six Volume Set unifies, in a single source, a huge amount of information in this growing field. The book covers scientific fundamentals, along with engineering considerations and applications in industry, agriculture, medicine, the environment and socio-economics, including the related government regulatory overviews. This new edition builds on the solid basis provided by previous editions, incorporating all recent advances in the field since the second edition was published in 2011.

This book provides comprehensive and useful information on the medicinal plants especially those used as food supplement in the form of health vitalizers and invigorators. A subjective approach is attempted for the first time in this book with all the information available in one single volume. Separate chapters are devoted to the medicinal values of each herb. The details about various plant extracts possessing significant anti-stress activity, are presented in this book.

The book aims to present the current developments in select areas of biotechnology of aquatic animals, covering relevant information from the different fields. The book is a comprehensive set of reviews of our existing knowl-edge in biotechnology of aquatic animals. It is written principally as a comprehen-sive reference for students and teachers, as also offers a predictive challenging re-sources for researchers.

The Handbook of Fungal Biotechnology offers the newest developments from the frontiers of fungal biochemical and molecular processes and industrial and semi-industrial applications of fungi. This second edition highlights the need for the integration of a number of scientific disciplines and technologies in modern fungal biotechnology and reigns as the top source on current molecular, biochemical, and medical technologies and commercial usages for fungi. Authored by 81 world-renowned scientists from both industry and academia, it addresses contemporary issues pertaining to intellectual property rights, biodiversity, and biosafety, and devotes an entire section to medical biotechnology.

Presents sensor specification, theory of operation, sensor design, and application criteria Provides background plus specific information for practicing engineers who want to understand sensors Includes a complete chapter on industrial sensor communication protocols Explains temperature sensitivity, how to determine, and how to avoid Discusses how to understand and utilize sensor specifications

An important overview of the state of the art in naturally occurring antimycotics!Here is a comprehensive and innovative examination of the antimycotic potential of essential plant oils and extracts against fungal infections affecting humans, animals, plants, and foodstuffs. Plant-Derived Antimycotics emphasizes the antimycotic activity of plants found in Central America, India, Nepal, Fiji, and China--areas rich in phyto-diversity and traditional botanical/medical knowledge.From editor M.K. Rai: "Since the inception of human civilization men have been using herbs against various mycotic infections. In the recent past, several antimycotic agents have been introduced into the market due to their rapid curative properties. Still, the quest for new antifungal agents of a fungicidal rather than fungistatic nature continues. Furthermore, there has been a dramatic increase in the new spectrum of fungal infections known as opportunistic fungal pathogens. Consequently, plant-derived antimycotics are gaining importance, being natural, cheaper, safer, eco-friendly, and within the reach of the common man."With a distinguished list of contributors from around the world, Plant-Derived Antimycotics explores: antifungal compounds that strengthen plant-defense systems traditional herbs that have revealed their antifungal properties newer, faster methods of screening and evaluating antifungal drugs natural antimycotics derived from plants in Croatia, South America, South Africa, China, India, and Fiji the mechanism of herbal antimycotic action the diversity of antimycotic efficacy in Asteraceous and Meliaceous plants new bioactive antifungal molecules Plant-Derived Antimycotics is an essential reference for pharmacologists, microbiologists, clinical mycologists, oncologists, immunologists, drug manufacturers, botanists and ethnobotanists, phytochemists, herbalists, and everyone searching for a natural remedy for the new spectrum of opportunistic fungal infections generated by the immunocompromising difficulties encountered by AIDS and cancer patients. Color illustrations, photographs, charts, tables, and graphs make the information easier to absorb and understand.

This volume of Pharmaceutical Biocatalysis starts with a discussion on the importance of biocatalytic synthesis approaches for a sustainable and environmentally friendly production of pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Among the enzymes discussed in detail with respect to their pharmaceutical relevance are cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases playing an important role in modulating signal transduction in various cell types; human DOPA decarboxylase, related to Parkinson's disease and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase deficiency; and phospholipase D enzymes as drug targets. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mutations are novel therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia. An additional chapter is devoted to the use of enzymes for prodrug activation in cancer therapy. The other topics include small-molecule inhibitors targeting receptor tyrosine kinases in cancer, -Lactams and related compounds as antibacterials, non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases, and the molecular mechanisms for statin pleiotropy and its clinical relevance in cardiovascular diseases. The last chapter is a review of lysosomal storage disorders with an overview of approved drugs for treating these disorders by enzyme replacement therapy.

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring In this exploration of the concept of the gene, Jonathan Slack looks at the discovery, nature, and role of genes in both evolution and development. By explaining the nature of genetic variation in the human population, how hereditary factors were identified as molecules of DNA, and how certain specific mutations can lead to disease, Slack highlights how DNA variants are used to trace human ancestry and migration, and can also be used by forensic scientists to identify individuals in crime. He also explores issues such as the role of genetic heritability and IQ as well as the changes that occur in the genes of populations during evolution. An ideal guide for anyone curious about what genes are and how genetics can be put to use, this Very Short Introduction demonstrates the ways in which the gene concept has been understood and used by molecular biologists, population biologists, and social scientists around the world. This second edition has been fully updated and contains new sections on the CRISPR method for targeted genetic modification, on DNA profiling, and developments in our understanding of human ancestry using ancient DNA. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Agriculture is one of the oldest and most global human enterprises, and as the world struggles with sustainable practices and policies, agricultural chemistry has a clear role to play. This book highlights the ways in which science in agriculture is helping to achieve global sustainability in the 21st century, and demonstrates that this science can and should be a leading contributor in discussion on environmental science and chemistry. The four drivers of this subject are presented, those being economic, environmental, regulatory and scientific, and help showcase agricultural chemistry as a dynamic subject that is contributing to this necessity of global sustainability in the 21st century.

This up-to-date reference book discusses the synthesis, production, and application of various microbial enzymes and metabolites for health. Microorganisms like bacteria (lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus species), yeasts, and filamentous fungi have been globally exploited for their biotechnological applications. This book discusses ways to use them commercially. Chapters include the production of fibrinolytic enzymes, microbial lipases, bacteriocin production by lactic acid bacteria, and bioactives produced. It also covers microbial synthesis of alkaloids, terpenoids, and steroids. The book is useful for researchers, academicians, and industry experts in microbiology and biotechnology.

With contributions from nearly 130 internationally renowned experts in the field, this reference details advances in transgenic plant construction and explores the social, political, and legal aspects of genetic plant manipulation. It provides analyzes of the history, genetics, physiology, and cultivation of over 30 species of transgenic seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Stressing the impact of genetic engineering strategies on the nutritional and functional benefit of foods as well as on consumer health and the global market economy, the book covers methods of gene marking, transferring, and tagging public perceptions to the selective breeding, hybridization, and recombinant DNA manipulation of food.