Food scarcity and insecurity is an alarming issue throughout the world. Postharvest loss due to both mechanical damage and microbial spoilage significantly influences the shelf life and hence the availability of agricultural produce. Once initiated, the microbial spoilage can make bulk quantity of a given agricultural product unacceptable for human consumption, and several methods have already been used to try to manage this. Considering the limited success of the available methods, there is increasing interest in exploring nanotechnological methods. These methods are being considered for both the development of various platforms for antimicrobial/barrier packaging applications that minimize the contact of agricultural produce with the external environment, and also for design sensors to ensure food safety and quality. The impact of various nano-systems developed through material engineering on the shelf-life enhancement and storage of fresh horticultural produce will have revolutionary effects on post-harvest management in the coming years. Hence, Postharvest Nanotechnology for Fresh Horticultural Produce has been edited to advance understanding of material development, intelligent selection of nanomaterials to ensure the nontoxic nature, and future perspectives of nanotechnology on postharvest produce. This includes various types of nanoparticles exploited for the postharvest management, their mechanism of action, varied applications and material engineering, along with natural products including essential oils and plant bioactives, modelling of various tailor-made materials to meet the required properties of the packed food, advancements in the nanotechnological applications for the minimally processed food, and the toxicity concerns. Key Features: · Describes advances in nanotechnology for postharvest management · Includes extensive details on the applications of material engineering for post-harvest applications using nanotechnology and future aspects · Provides extensive data on the types of nanomaterials used and the fabrication methods employed for the design of tailor-made products for the post-harvest management This book reviews the current scientific advancements and future prospects of the nanotechnological interventions in meeting the quality and quantity standards of the horticultural produce and minimally processed food and will be a valuable reference for beginners, researchers, subject experts, and industrialists.

Biocontrol Mechanisms of Endophytic Microorganisms introduces endophytic microorganisms, colonization, diversity and distribution, describes the isolation and identification of endophytic microorganisms by traditional cultivation and by next generation sequencing technologies, and covers biocontrol mechanisms, bacterial priming, endophytic based methods, the significance on fungi, and metabolite based formulations. The book concludes with chapters on biofilms, microbiota and safety issues of microorganisms. The intensive use of chemicals to control these plant pathogens has resulted in negative consequences such as the release of toxic chemicals in the environment, reduced soil fertility and human health problems. Therefore, environmentally-friendly and sustainable replacement of chemical fertilizers or pesticides is highly challenging.

The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy provides a thorough understanding of the role of microbes in a circular economy (CE). It covers the development of effective bio-based formulations for field applications and describes the basic principles and applications of the circular economy, the important role of microorganisms, and new insights into a sustainable ecosystem.The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy compiles the latest advancement in the field of CE by covering the aspect of microbes and microbial products providing microbiologists the tools to engage with the wider public, policymakers and industry to inform the debate on addressing current challenges and showcasing the positive impacts of microbiology for society.

Recent Advances in Aquaculture Microbial Technology emphasizes various topics on microbiology related technology for aquaculture development and discusses different types of microbiological applications, thus serving as an all-inclusive reference which consolidates microbial technologies adopted in the field. The book covers the history and development of microbial technology in aquaculture as well as aquaculture microbiology, diversity and the role of microbes in aquaculture systems. In addition, it presents the beneficial microbial communities in aquaculture and varying methods employed to study bacterial association in fish, microbes and fish diseases. This resource will help improve research experiments and accomplishments in the area of aqua-culturally relevant microbial technology, making it useful for researchers and scientists in the field.

Microbial Endophytes: Functional Biology and Applications focuses on endophytic bacteria and fungi, including information on foundational endophytes and the latest advances in relevant genomics, proteomics and nanotechnological aspects. The book provides insights into the molecular aspects of plant endophytes and their interactions and applications, also exploring the potential commercialization of endophytic microorganisms and their use as bio fertilizers, in biocontrol, and as bioactive compounds for other sustainable applications. Coverage of important and emerging legal considerations relevant to those working to implement these important bacteria in production processes is also included.