Microbial organisms occupy a peculiar place in the human view of life. Microorganisms represent the richest repertoire of molecular and chemical diversity in nature as they underlie basic ecosystem processes. Microorganisms are used for various purposes including food production and preservation, management of pests and pathogens, bioleaching of metals, increasing soil fertility, generating biofuels, monitoring pollutants, cleaning up of oil spills, waste water treatment, assaying of chemicals and serving as tools for medical research. Besides microorganisms are the major sources of antimicrobial agents and produce a wide range of other important medicinal compounds including enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, antihelminthics, antitumor agents, insecticides, vitamins, immunosuppressants and immunomodulatoThe study of microbial diversity is thus important to solve new and emerging disease problems and to advance biotechnology.

The present book "Laboratory Manual of Biochemistry: Methods and Techniques" is the outcome of 17 years of teaching and research experience of the authors. Biochemistry is a comparatively recent branch but the utility and variability of research work and the dazzling pace of its development has positioned this discipline in the forefront of scientific hierarchy. As Biochemistry works at a molecular level (i.e. finer than that accessed by the ultra-modern optical or phase-contrast microscopes) it embraces other disciplines also. Biochemistry has thus strengthened the integrated approach concept and solving biological riddles. Biochemical Techniques are used in all branches of biological sciences and biotechnology. Biochemical experiments are conducted in the laboratory as practical as well as for persuing research. A researcher has to refer to many journals and books before he/she could get to the working protocol for his/her experiment. This book attempts to give often-used methods in a single volume. This first edition is divided into 11 Units. Each experiment includes principle, requirements, procedure, calculation and observations. At the end of each , references for additional reading are provided. Important precautions, warnings and tips are given under the notes section. In addition, there are 12 appendices, which give minute details on basic chemistry, buffer preparations and other aspects required for the conduct of the experiments. The methods given in the book will be useful for conducting practical classes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, agricultural sciences, environmental science, botany, zoology, nutrition, pharmaceutical science and other biology-related subjects. This book will be a bonanza for the research workers since it covers procedures from the classical basic biochemistry to the modern PCR techniques.

The agricultural sector, as well as the other economic sectors, follows the current trends verified in economies and societies, including at the technological level. On the other hand, agriculture has multidimensional impacts and suffers the implications of global changes, namely those related to climate change, financial crises and pandemic frameworks. In this perspective, this book aims to bring more contributions to the current trends associated with agricultural contexts. This book is a forum of discussion about the new trends for the agricultural and food sectors. The topics covered in this publication allow to bring together the several current dimensions related with the food production. The new insights highlighted with this book bring relevant value added for the several stakeholders. This book is an interesting publication for several stakeholders related to the agricultural and food sectors, including students, researchers, policymakers, public institutions, and farmers.

This edited volume advances knowledge of food security and food sovereignty for students and researchers. The book analyses and interprets field data and interrogates relevant literature, which forms the basis for decisions on improving food security and sovereignty in Africa. It deepens an understanding of food fraud, and of multinational corporations' (MNCs) manipulations of food quality to the detriment of consumers. It provides information to advance new knowledge on the issue of international interdependency of unequal exchange, and the inactions of governments against the dumping and waste of food.