This book focuses on the different kinds of biofuels and biofuel resources. Biofuels represent a major type of renewable energy. As part of a larger bio-economy, they are closely linked to agriculture, forestry and manufacturing. Biofuels have the potential to improve regional energy access, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to climate protection. Further, this alternative form of energy could revitalize the forestry and agricultural sector and promote the increased use of renewable resources as raw materials in a range of industrial processes. Efforts are continuously being made to develop economically competitive biofuels, and microbes play important roles in the production of biofuels from various bioresources. This book elaborates on recent advances in existing microbial technologies and on sustainable approaches to improving biofuel production processes. Additionally, it examines trends in, and the limitations of, existing processes and technologies. The book offers a comprehensive overview of microbial bioresources, microbial technologies, advances in bioconversion and biorefineries, as well as microbial and metabolic engineering for efficient biofuel production. Readers will also learn about the environmental impacts and the influence of climate change on the sustainability of biofuel production. This book is intended for researchers and students whose work involves biorefinery technologies, microbiology, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental biology and related fields.

This book focuses on the different kinds of biofuels and biofuel resources. Biofuels represent a major type of renewable energy. As part of a larger bio-economy, they are closely linked to agriculture, forestry and manufacturing. Biofuels have the potential to improve regional energy access, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to climate protection. Further, this alternative form of energy could revitalize the forestry and agricultural sector and promote the increased use of renewable resources as raw materials in a range of industrial processes. Efforts are continuously being made to develop economically competitive biofuels, and microbes play important roles in the production of biofuels from various bioresources. This book elaborates on recent advances in existing microbial technologies and on sustainable approaches to improving biofuel production processes. Additionally, it examines trends in, and the limitations of, existing processes and technologies. The book offers a comprehensive overview of microbial bioresources, microbial technologies, advances in bioconversion and biorefineries, as well as microbial and metabolic engineering for efficient biofuel production. Readers will also learn about the environmental impacts and the influence of climate change on the sustainability of biofuel production. This book is intended for researchers and students whose work involves biorefinery technologies, microbiology, biotechnology, agriculture, environmental biology and related fields.

Toxins can be defined by many ways on basis of origin, chemical nature and site of actions. Any microbial product, when present at low concentration in cells or tissues of a higher organism, can cause injury by interfering with the structural and functional integrity of those cells or tissues. Toxins are produced by bacteria, fungi, algae and various other micro-organisms. This review will put some light on various types of microbial toxins their structure and function and how they affect the human body. The book is of benefit to all the students of microbiology, biochemistry medical science, biotechnology and to all individuals interested in the subject.

Micro-organisms are highly ubiquitous in nature and manifold in their activity. Interest in microbiology increased quite significantly due to wide application of micro-organisms in studying different biological processes. An attempt has been made to introduce the readers to several areas of microbiology and microbial biotechnology and to provide insight into basic concepts of biology and practical applications of micro-organisms. To assist the readers in understanding the text, several illustrations and figures have been incorporated in the current volume. The topics covered in this volume are arranged in such a way as to maintain the thread of continuity with Volume One as well as to make it easy for those who are not acquainted with Volume One of the series. The editors believe that the previous book of the series, "Recent Advances in Microbiology Volume-1", would also be helpful to readers in strengthening their concepts about different areas of microbiology and microbial biotechnology.