The structure of a food influences the way it is transformed during processing and digestion. This in turn has an impact on nutrient bioaccessibility (release) and digestibility, and subsequently on the physiological response and health of the individual who consumes that food. Although evidence exists on the health benefits associated with the inclusion of certain lipid-rich foods (e.g. nuts, dairy products and fish) in the diet, the mechanisms that explain the physiological effects and the long-term benefits are not well understood. Lipids in themselves have many beneficial health effects: they are a source of energy and essential fatty acids, they are structural components of cell membranes, they are required to solubilise fat soluble compounds, and they serve as precursors of hormones. In addition, the overall structure of the food containing the lipids plays a crucial role in determining health benefits, notably by influencing lipid bioaccessibility and digestibility. Bioaccessibility and digestibility of lipids from food uniquely focuses on the physico-chemical properties of lipids and lipid rich food, as well as the subsequent effects on human health. Chapters from experts in food digestion examine food structure at both the macro- and micro- levels, covering lipids from plant and animal food products. The editors have developed the book for dietitians, nutritionists, and food scientists. Clinicians and other health professionals, educators in nutrition, and others working in the food industry will also find the material relevant.

This concise volume reviews the most current and topical aspects of Acinetobacter genetics and molecular biology and is aimed at a readership of research scientists, graduate students and other specialists. Expert international authors have contributed chapters on diverse topics including taxonomy, lipopolysaccharides, catabolism of aromatic compounds, transformation systems, transcriptional regulation, applications in biotechnology, the molecular basis for virulence and pathogenicity, molecular epidemiology, and antibiotic resistance. This book is highly recommended for anyone involved in Acinetobacter research.

A description of a microbial colony grown on suitable agar usually involves the observation of its immediate surroundings. This applies to most bacteria and fungi and is of considerable taxonomic importance. This book discusses the more abundant pigments of microbial origin, their unique function in microbial life and their biotechnological significance.

Incorporating contributions from microbiologists, molecular biologists, plant breeders and soil scientists this volume reports the results and recommendations of an FAO/IAEA meeting of twelve experts on biological nitrogen fixation. This volume will be invaluable to scientists working on nitrogen fixation, soil microbiology, agronomy and crop production as well as farm advisers and extension specialists.
Maximising the Use of Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Agriculture is unique in that it:

-reviews the latest thinking on various aspects of biological nitrogen fixation technology and applications;
-reviews the possibilities in enhancing nitrogen fixation in various cropping systems;
-shows ways how biological nitrogen fixation can be used to enhance crop production;
-considers the applicability of these technologies to small farmers in developing countries.

This Volume describes methods for investigating microbes in their natural environment and how to obtain representative samples and preserve them for subsequent analyses. Chapters are arranged according to the environments under investigation, which include: oil reservoirs, fracking fluids, aquifers, coal beds, oil sands and their tailing ponds, lakes, rivers, leaves, polar seas and ice, the sea-surface microlayer, mud flats, microbialites, and deep-sea fauna. A variety of downstream analytical procedures are described, including: nucleic-acid extraction and preparation for high-throughput sequencing, fluorescence in-situ hybridisation, and cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon-degrading microbes. Though most chapters focus on hydrocarbon-rich environments, many of the approaches used are generic, and as such will be of value to researchers embarking on studies of microbes and their processes in the field. Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols There are tens of thousands of structurally different hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives and lipids, and a wide array of these molecules are required for cells to function. The global hydrocarbon cycle, which is largely driven by microorganisms, has a major impact on our environment and climate. Microbes are responsible for cleaning up the environmental pollution caused by the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and will also be pivotal in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing biofuels, plastics and industrial chemicals. Gaining an understanding of the relevant functions of the wide range of microbes that produce, consume and modify hydrocarbons and related compounds will be key to responding to these challenges. This comprehensive collection of current and emerging protocols will facilitate acquisition of this understanding and exploitation of useful activities of such microbes.

This volume provides a comprehensive coverage of the principal extreme soil ecosystems of natural and anthropogenic origin. Extreme soils oppose chemical or physical limits to colonization by most soil organisms and present the microbiologist with exciting opportunities.

Described here are a range of fascinating environments from permafrost to Martian soils. The book includes chapters on basic research in addition to applications in biotechnology and bioremediation.

The NATO Advanced Research Workshop from which this book derives was conceived during Biotec-88, the Second Spanish Conference on Biotechnology, held at Barcelona in June 1988. The President of the Conference, Dr. Ricardo Guerrero, had arranged sessions on bacterial polymers which included lectures by five invited participants who, together with Dr. Guerrero, became the Organizing Committee for a projected meeting that would focus attention upon the increasing international importance of novel biodegradable polymers. The proposal found favour with the NATO Science Committee and, with Dr. R. Clinton Fuller and Dr. Robert W. Lenz as the co-Directors, Dr. Edwin A. Dawes as the Proceedings Editor, and Dr. Hans G. Schlegel, Dr. Alexander J.B. Zehnder and Dr. Ricardo Guerrero as members of the Organizing Committee, the meeting quickly took shape. To Dr. Guerrero we owe the happy choice of Sitges for the venue, a pleasant coastal resort 36 kilometres from Barcelona, which proved ideal. The sessions were held at the Palau de Maricel in appropriately impressive surroundings, and invaluable local support was provided by Mr. Jordi Mas-Castella and by Ms. Merce Piqueras. Much of the preparatory work fell upon the broad shoulders of Mr. Edward Knee, whose efforts are deeply appreciated. The Organizing Committee hopes that this Workshop will prove to be the first of a series which will aim to keep abreast of a rapidly expanding and exciting area of research that is highly relevant to environmental and industrial interests.

Antimicrobial resistance is recognised among the world’s most challenging problems. Despite its global spread, Africa, specifically sub-Saharan Africa, is the most affected by this malaise. Poor living conditions and inadequate access to sanitation and potable water supplies are among contributing factors that have influenced a high disease burden on the continent, requiring extensive antimicrobials. Weak health systems and the absence of firm policies further aggravate the problem, as the use of antimicrobials is mostly unregulated. The increasing demand for animal protein to meet the starving populations’ demands has also influenced the use of these antimicrobials, including those banned on other continents, for food animal production. The ripple effect of indiscriminate use in humans and animals is the massive discharge of antimicrobials, their residues, antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms and their associated genes into the environment.  This 14-chapter unique masterpiece presents the AMR problem in African, addressing the various compartments of the One Health – humans, animals, and the environment, to illustrate the need for concerted efforts in the fight against AMR, especially in Africa. Authors from the four cardinal points present diverse aspects of AMR in Africa, starting with behavioural and social drivers of AMR in Africa. Antimicrobial stewardship in an African context is also discussed. AMR in humans is presented through studies on antibiotic-resistant neonates and nontyphoidal Salmonella infections and the clinical relevance of the genetics of viral resistance. Topics on AMR in mastitis, biosecurity in animal farming and the linkage between disinfectants and AMR are discussed. The environmental dimension of AMR is discussed, notably in the aquatic environment, and its implication for aquaculture and irrigation and using nanomaterials to treat polluted waters from such environments are highlighted. Finally, Africa’s rich floral diversity is portrayed as an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to combat AMR. Hopefully, the work presented will spur greater collaboration between scientists, environmental, animal and human health practitioners, the general population, and policymakers to assimilate and implement the One Health approach to combating AMR, rather than working in silos on their various sectors

This volume focuses on blocking disease transmission and the ecological perspective of pathogens and pathogenic processes. The chapters on blocking transmission cover the environmental safety of space flight, biocides and biocide resistance, as well as infection control in healthcare facilities. The book also offers insights into the ecological aspects of infectious disease, introducing the reader to the role of indigenous gut microbiota in maintaining human health and current discussions on environmentally encountered bacterial and fungal pathogens including species that variously cause the necrotizing skin disease Buruli ulcer and coccidioidomycosis. Further, it explores the influenza A virus as an example for understanding zoonosis. It is a valuable resource for microbiologists and biomedical scientists alike.

Allelochemicals play a great role in managed and natural ecosystems. Apart from plant growth, allelochemicals also may influence nutrient dynamics, mycorrhizae, soil chemical characteristics, and microbial ecology. Synergistic action of various factors may better explain plant growth and distribution in natural systems. The book emphasizes the role of allelochemicals in shaping the structure of plant communities in a broader ecological perspective. The book addresses the following questions: (1) How do allelochemicals influence different components of the ecosystem in terms of shaping community structure? (2) Why is it difficult to demonstrate interference by allelochemicals (i.e., allelopathy) in a natural system in its entirety? Despite a large amount of existing literature on allelopathy, why are ecologists still skeptical about the existence of allelopathy in nature? (3) Why are there only scarce data on aquatic ecosystems? (4) What role do allelochemicals play in microbial ecology?.....

Filamentous fungi have long been known for their ability to produce an enormous range of unusual chemical compounds known as secondary metabolites, many of which have potentially useful antibiotic or pharmacological properties. Recent focus on fungal genomics coupled with advances in detection and molecular manipulation techniques has galvanized a revitalization of this field. Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols is aimed at providing the key methodologies currently in use and necessary for accessing and exploiting the natural product information provided by the genomes of this large and varied kingdom. Written by active researchers in the field, the chapters deal with all the steps necessary, from optimization of fungal culture conditions for metabolite production, through rapid genome sequencing and bioinformatics, and genetic manipulations for functional analysis, to detection and testing of metabolites. In addition, chapters on basic science address approaches to the genetic regulation, protein biochemistry, and cellular localization of the biosynthetic pathways. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and hands-on, Fungal Secondary Metabolism: Methods and Protocols encourages new investigators to enter the field and expands upon the expertise and range of skills of those already researching fungal natural products.

This book discusses the commercialization of biofuels and the Brazilian government policies for the promotion of renewable energy program in Brazil, which could be a learning module for several countries for implementing biofuels policy to improve their socioeconomic status and make them energy independent.

Researchers in academia and industries, policy makers, and economic analysts will be assisted by important source of information in their ongoing research and future perspectives.

This book will benefit graduate and postgraduate students of chemical and biochemical engineering, forestry, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, applied chemistry, environmental science, sustainable energy, and biotech business disciplines by signifying the applied aspects of bioenergy production from various natural sources and their implications. Graduate and postgraduate students as well as postdoctoral researchers will find clear concepts of feedstock analysis, feedstock degradation, microbial fermentation, genetic engineering, renewable energy generation and storage, climate changes, and techno-economic analysis of biofuels production technologies.

This comprehensive study of poultry meat safety offers readers the most up-to-date information on food safety concerns in poultry meat production. Chapters address recent topics of interest such as organic poultry production, antimicrobial resistant pathogens in poultry, antibiotic usage in poultry production, and pre- and post- harvest approaches to improving poultry meat safety. The last couple of decades have observed a significant increase in poultry meat production in the US. However, poultry meat is a potential source of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter spp. and pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC linked to human infections), leading to economic losses to the poultry industry and impacting public health. Advances in knowledge in microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and "omics" fields have intensified efforts to improve the microbiological safety of poultry by targeting virulence mechanisms of the pathogens, developing vaccines and improving gut health in chickens. Moreover, due to the emergence of multidrug resistance in poultry-borne pathogens, and growth of organic poultry production, there exists significant interest for developing natural strategies for controlling pathogens in chickens. This edited volume provides insight into these strategies and covers other material of interest to food microbiologists, public health personnel, and poultry scientists. Readers of various backgrounds will appreciate its incorporation of recent developments not covered in other publications on the subject.

Research on the interaction between plants and microbes continues to attract increasing attention, both within the field as well as in the scientific community at large. Many of the major scientific journals have recently reviewed various aspects of the field. Several papers dealing with plant-microbe interactions have been featured on the covers of scientific publications in the past several months, and the lay press have recently presented feature articles of this field. An additional sign of the interest in this field is that the International Society of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions has almost 500 members. This book is a collection of the papers that were given at the Sixth Inlernational Symposium on the Molecular Genetics of Plant-Microbe Interactions which was held in Seattle, Washington in July, 1992. Approximately 650 scientists attended and approximately 50 lectures covering the topics of Agrobacterium-plant interactions, Rhizobium-plant interactions, bacteria-plant interactions, fungal-plant interactions and new aspects of biotechnology were presented. In addition, many sessions were devoted to the plant response to the microbe. Over 400 posters were presented of which the authors of 20 were selected to give an oral presentation. These papers are included in this volume as well. The symposium also included speakers whose research interests are not directly related to plant-microbe interactions but who are at the cutting edge of research areas that impact on the theme of the symposium. These individuals kindly agreed to summarize their talks and their papers are also included.

This book review series presents current trends in modern biotechnology. The aim is to cover all aspects of this interdisciplinary technology where knowledge, methods and expertise are required from chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, chemical engineering and computer science. Volumes are organized topically and provide a comprehensive discussion of developments in the respective field over the past 3-5 years. The series also discusses new discoveries and applications. Special volumes are dedicated to selected topics which focus on new biotechnological products and new processes for their synthesis and purification. In general, special volumes are edited by well-known guest editors. The series editor and publisher will however always be pleased to receive suggestions and supplementary information. Manuscripts are accepted in English.

This book considers the rapid microbiological techniques that are now increasingly used in industry as alternatives to more conventional methods. Although many of the pioneering studies in this field have taken place in clinical laboratories, the materials listed and organisms sought for foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals are much more varied. In this volume, leading experts from research and industry review the wide variety of approaches that are needed in an industrial setting. The methods described include electrometric techniques, ATP assay, and immunological methods for a wide range of organisms from salmonellas to viruses, each chapter drawing on the authors direct experience in industry to give a highly practical guide. The book should prove invaluable to those in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, or in research and training, who require an up-to-date survey of the use of rapid microbiological methods.

The increased emphasis on food safety during the past two decades has decreased the emphasis on the loss of food through spoilage, particularly in developed co- tries where food is more abundant. In these countries spoilage is a commercial issue that affects the pro't or loss of producers and manufacturers. In lesser developed countries spoilage continues to be a major concern. The amount of food lost to spoilage is not known. As will be evident in this text, stability and the type of spoilage are in?uenced by the inherent properties of the food and many other factors. During the Second World War a major effort was given to developing the te- nologies needed to ship foods to different regions of the world without spoilage. The food was essential to the military and to populations in countries that could not provide for themselves. Since then, progress has been made in improved product formulations, processing, packaging, and distribution systems. New products have continued to evolve, but for many new perishable foods product stability continues to be a limiting factor. Many new products have failed to reach the marketplace because of spoilage issues.

The Taxonomy and Identification of Thermus; R.A.D. Williams, R.J. Sharp. Ecology, Distribution, and Isolation of Thermus; G.A. Alfredsson, J.K. Kristjansson. The Physiology and Metabolism of Thermus; R.J. Sharp, et al. Enzymes of Thermus and Their Properties; M.L. Duffield, D. Cossar. The Cell Walls and Lipids of Thermus; M.S. da Costa. Genetics of Thermus (Plasmids, Bacteriophage, Potential Vectors, Gene Transfer Systems); N.D.H. Raven. Genes and Genetic Manipulation in Thermus thermophilus; T. Oshima. Biotechnological Applications of Thermus; P.L. Bergquist, H.W. Morgan. Index.

This book discusses the extremophiles explored for biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Nanotechnology is a widely emerging field involving interdisciplinary subjects such as biology, physics, chemistry and medicine. A wide variety of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and algae are employed as biological agents for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Novel routes by which extremophiles can be employed to generate nanoparticles have yet to be discovered. The book is divided into 5 major chapters: (1) Major types of nanoparticles in nanotechnology (2) Diversity of microbes in the synthesis of nanoparticles (3) Extremophiles in nanoparticle biosynthesis (4) Applications of nanoparticles produced by extremophiles (5) Challenges and Future perspectives

Due to various special physiological features and a genome that greatly differs in structure, gene content and organization from other yeasts, "Y. lipolytica" is widely used as a model organism. With its characteristics, such as the ability to accumulate oil and the high capacity for secretion of proteases and lipases, the yeast is also of great interest for biotechnological applications.

The main topics covered in this "Microbiology Monograph" are: comparative genomics; mitochondrial genomics and proteomics, including the analysis of the respiratory chain; transposable elements and their activities; non-coding RNA genes, which display a number of unusual and remarkable features compared to other hemiascomycetes; utilization of hydrophobic substrates, of n-alkane and its oxidized derivatives as sources of carbon and energy; ambient pH signalling; comparison of protein families in non-conventional yeasts and S. cerevisiae; and the sulphur metabolism of cheese-ripening yeast.

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This book focuses on advanced research and technologies in dairy processing, one of the most important branches of the food industry. It addresses various topics, ranging from the basics of dairy technology to the opportunities and challenges in the industry. Following an introduction to dairy processing, the book takes readers through various aspects of dairy engineering, such as dairy-based peptides, novel milk products and bio-fortification. It also describes the essential role of microorganisms in the industry and ways to detect them, as well as the use of prebiotics, and food safety. Lastly, the book examines the challenges faced, especially in terms of maintaining quality across the supply chain. Covering all significant areas of dairy science and processing, this interesting and informative book is a valuable resource for post-graduate students, research scholars and industry experts.

Microbial biosurfactant compounds are a group of structurally diverse molecules produced by microorganisms, and are mainly categorized according to their chemical structure. The diversity of microbial biosurfactants makes them versatile and means that they offer a range of capabilities, while at the same time being economically sustainable. As such, they have potential applications in environmental processes, as well as in food, biomedicine and other industries. This book discusses innovative approaches and cutting-edge research that utilize the various properties of biosurfactants. Drawing on research from around the globe, it provides an up-to-date review of biosurfactant applications and their importance in fields such as medicine, gene therapy, immunotherapy, antimicrobial bioremediation and agriculture. It also discusses their anti-adhesive properties. The book will appeal to academics and researchers in the field of microbiology, as well as policymakers. It also serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences.

The molecular basis of disease is the driving force in biomedical reserach. Gene detection, quantification, and localization are required to determine disease pathogenesis. In as much as DNA is the genetic potential in a particular organism, RNA and protein expression are the functional result of our genetic program. "Techniques in Localization of Gene Expression" describes in great detail the methods used to quantify and localize gene expression. Sensitive detection of gene expression is hindered by poor recovery or preservation of target sequences. "Techniques" emphasizes optimized methods to ensure full recovery and preservaiton of targets from specimen acquisition through detection of specific targets and final analysis. Situ Analyses of cells and tissues are also discussed. One of the weaknesses in biomedical research has been the use of in vitro model systems consisting of cell lines that may or may not mimic the in vivo conditions. These model systems are necessary to ask several questions on cell s and tissues with controllled variables int he absense of strategies to ask many questions at the same time. Multiparameter analysis can cirmcumvent the necessity fo in vitro model systems by allowing many quesitons to be answered on a cell or tissue at a single point in time. Using fluorescent dyes, on can answer many questions about a particular cell or tissue. One color, one question is an overriding theme of this book. The limitations of this approach are the number of colors in the spectrum and our ability to resolve them. Readers will find working protocols that have been developed and used routinely in the author's laboratory. Representative applications will be described using the various gene quantification and localization protocols to illustrate the utility of the techniques.