3 Review(s)

The number of microbes exploited commercially is limited irrespective of their high number present in diverse habitats. In recent years, their use has proven successful in many areas such as the production of industrially viable products, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, recovery of metals, improvement and maintenance of environmental quality, and insect and pest control. The Twenty-three articles included in the book fall under three broad categories: agricultural microbiology, industrial microbiology, and bioremediation. The psychrophiles hold many biological secrets such as biochemical limits to macromolecular stability and the blueprints for constructing stable macromolecules. Lactic acid bacteria are known for their role in the preparation of fermented dairy products. Potential strains for the production of lactic acid with emphasis on its fermentation, economics and systematics have been discussed in greater detail. Biotechnological applications of pectinases play an important role in the industry. The production, characteristics, and applications of microbial alkaline pectinolytic enzymes have been studied in detail. The production of ergot alkaloids has developed; semi-synthetic ergot alkaloids are widely used as a potential therapeutic agent. The microbial production of glucans, their functional organization and their industrial significance have been systematically reviewed. Bioactive exopolysaccharides from mushrooms have gained importance in recent years. The production and characterization of exopolysaccharides and the conversion of unsaturated fatty acids into hydroxyl fatty acids through the use of microorganisms are esential to a wide range of industrial products. Enhancing the microbial production of 1,3-propanidial and its application highlights the commercial exploitation of potential microorganisms. Aldehyde and organic acid production by using oxydases and their derivatives is also essential to the industry. Some chapters are devoted to the potential entomopathogenic fungi for management of insect pests, biotechnological applications of fusaria, microbial metabolite-mediated biocontrol of soil-borne plant pathogens, bioremediation of heavy metals, organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides. The constraints in commercial bioinoculant production and their quality assurance are also touched upon. All the articles in this volume address the role of microorganisms in agricultural industries. The exploitation of such beneficial microorganisms may improve agricultural systems with an economically sound production of human food and animal feed. This volume will certainly be useful to the PG and research students of agricultural microbiology and biotechnology.