This book presents a broad perspective on saponins as important natural products with a key role in plant defense. The presence of saponins has been reported in several plant species, and many types of saponins have been found to exhibit significant antifungal activities. In addition to their role in plant defense, saponins are of increasing interest for drug research, as they are active ingredients in several traditional medicines and hold potentially valuable pharmacological properties. In this book, the authors briefly introduce readers to saponin accumulation in various plant organs, with a specific focus on their structure classification and diversity. Readers will find detailed information on the saponin structure-activity relationship and saponins' vital role in sustainable agriculture as a chemical barrier to pathogen attack. The latest techniques for isolating, identifying, and quantifying saponins are also discussed. In the closing chapter, the authors outline the recent metabolic engineering strategies applied to improve saponin glycosides production and their potential applications in plant disease resistance. This book and the companion volume Bioactive Molecules in Plant Defense: Signaling in Growth and Stress offer vital resources for all researchers and students interested in plant pathology, mycology and sustainable agriculture.

New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Microbial Genes Biochemistry and Applications consolidates the most widely used genetic methods available, bringing together the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology, and microbiology. The chapters outlined give clear and concise direction on both standard and applied microbial genetic improvements, presenting undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers with the latest developments in microbial gene technology. In addition, the book describes the background and usefulness of each experiment in question. All chapters covered in the book are derived from current peer-reviewed literature as accepted by the international scientific community.

This book focuses on signaling molecules in plant defense, outlining some of the most important cellular and chemical plant defense strategies during periods of stress and growth. Written by leading experts, it covers topics such as the diversity of plant-growth-promoting fungi, the gene-to-metabolite network of plant-microbe interactions, modulation of plant cellular responses to stress, and how plant nutritional deficiency affects crop production. Together with the companion volume Bioactive Molecules in Plant Defense: Saponins, this book offers an essential source of information for postgraduate students and researchers interested in plant pathology, mycology and sustainable agriculture.

Protocols and Applications in Enzymology provides instruction on the experimental procedures of enzyme isolation techniques, innovative screening techniques, and instrument enabled enzyme assays and their underlying principles, among other protocols. The book serves as a one-stop solution for those working with different enzyme protocols in the fields of biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology and allied subjects. Each chapter offers a full overview of protocol key resources, materials required, quantifiable and statistical analysis, optimization and troubleshooting, safety considerations, and standards. Applications are discussed across distribution and diversity of microbial enzymes, enzyme screening, enzymes in solid state fermentations, enzyme assays, enzyme kinetics, and biotechnological uses.

Biocontrol and Secondary Metabolites: Applications and Immunization for Plant Growth and Protection covers established and updated research on emerging trends in plant defense signaling in, and during, stress phases. Other topics cover growth at interface as a sustainable way of life and the context of human welfare and conservation of fungi as a group of organisms. Further, the book explores induced systemic resistance using biocontrol agents and/or secondary metabolites as a milestone for sustainable agricultural production, thus providing opportunities for the minimization or elimination of the use of fungicides.

Advances in Nano-fertilizers and Nano-pesticides in Agriculture: A Smart Delivery System for Crop Improvement explores the use of nanotechnology for the controlled delivery of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers that improve the safety of products while also increasing the efficiency of food production and decreased environmental pollution. The development of nanodevices such as smart delivery systems to target specific sites, as well as nanocarriers for chemical controlled release are currently important aspects in novel agriculture and require a strong foundation of understanding, not only the technology, but also the resulting impacts.

This book focuses on signaling molecules in plant defense, outlining some of the most important cellular and chemical plant defense strategies during periods of stress and growth. Written by leading experts, it covers topics such as the diversity of plant-growth-promoting fungi, the gene-to-metabolite network of plant-microbe interactions, modulation of plant cellular responses to stress, and how plant nutritional deficiency affects crop production. Together with the companion volume Bioactive Molecules in Plant Defense: Saponins, this book offers an essential source of information for postgraduate students and researchers interested in plant pathology, mycology and sustainable agriculture.