This text focuses on the biological interactions of sulphur compounds which arise specifically from the presence of the sulphur atom within the molecule. The book opens with introductory chapters on the chemistry and biology of sulphur, before tackling the field by introducing compounds which share a common chemical combination. In general, following a description of the uses and impact upon the biological field, specific chemical group characteristics are discussed together with the biological activity and structure-activity relationships where known. The toxicity of such compounds, their consequences in biochemical and clinical terms, and their mechanisms of biological interaction are then addressed.

An updated text exploring the properties of the soil microbial community Today, the environmentally oriented specialties of microbiology are shifting from considering a single or a few microbial species to focusing on the entire microbial community and its interactions. The third edition of Soil Microbiology has been fully revised and updated to reflect this change, with a new focus on microbial communities and how they impact global ecology. The third edition still provides thorough coverage of basic soil microbiology principles, yet the textbook also expands students' understanding of the role the soil microbial community plays in global environmental health and human health. They can also learn more about the techniques used to conduct analysis at this level. Readers will benefit from the edition's expanded use of figures and tables as well as the recommendations for further reading found within each chapter. Considers the impact of environmental perturbations on microbial community structure as well as the implications for soil system functions Discusses the impact of soil microbial communities on food and health related issues Emphasizes the importance of soil microbial communities on the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems and solutions to global issues This third edition is a suitable text for those studying soil microbiology and soil ecology at the undergraduate or graduate level. It also serves as a valuable reference tool for professionals working in the fields of reclamation and soil management.

"Here is something natural, a supplement that appears to be safe and is helping many people. Why shouldn't you be one of them?"—William Regelson, M.D., co-author of The Melatonin Miracle MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is the first safe, natural, side-effect-free remedy for many types of pain and inflammatory conditions. In this authoritative look at MSM, Drs. Stanley Jacob and Ronald Lawrence reveal how to tap into the benefits of this amazing "miracle" compound. Experienced in the successful treatment of thousands of patients for pain, they explain how to take MSM—how much, when, with what foods, and in what form—to relieve pain in its many varieties, including: Degenerative arthritis Chronic back pain Chronic headache Muscle pain Fibromyalgia Tendintis and bursitis Carpal tunnel syndrome TMJ Post-traumatic pain and inflammation Allergies and more

The application of microbiological methods to the extraction of metals from minerals is supported by several bioleaching and biooxidation processes operating in different sites over the world. This book details the basic aspects of the process with special emphasis on recent contributions regarding the chemical and microbial aspects of the bioleaching process and the use of microorganisms in the treatment of complex ores and concentrates.

Microbial Diversity in the Genomic Era presents insights on the techniques used for microbial taxonomy and phylogeny, along with their applications and respective pros and cons. Though many advanced techniques for the identification of any unknown bacterium are available in the genomics era, a far fewer number of the total microbial species have been discovered and identified to date. The assessment of microbial taxonomy and biosystematics techniques discovered and practiced in the current genomics era with suitable recommendations is the prime focus of this book. - Discusses the techniques used for microbial taxonomy and phylogeny with their applications and respective pros and cons - Reviews the evolving field of bacterial typing and the genomic technologies that enable comparative analysis of multiple genomes and the metagenomes of complex microbial environments - Provides a uniform, standard methodology for species designation

Chemical Biology of Natural Products This unique, long-awaited volume is designed to address contemporary aspects of natural product chemistry and its influence on biological systems, not solely on human interactions. The subjects covered include discovery, isolation and characterization, biosynthesis, biosynthetic engineering, pharmaceutical, and other applications of these compounds. Each chapter begins with a brief and simple introduction to the subject matter, and then proceeds to guide the reader towards the more contemporary, cutting-edge research in the field, with the contributing authors presenting current examples from their own work in order to exemplify key themes. Topics covered in the text include genome mining, heterologous expression, natural product synthesis, biosynthesis, glycosylation, chemical ecology, and therapeutic applications of natural products, both current and potential.

Bioenergy Resources and Technologies presents advanced approaches and applications of bioenergy resources, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. Chapters on the applications of bioenergy, the implementation of bioenergy as an alternative fuel, and future energy security make this an invaluable and unique resource to further advance the field. This book provides new information and novel techniques across a variety of bioenergy applications, with the book's authors addressing key uses for bioenergy resources as an alternative fuel. Various case studies and examples help demonstrate meaning and provide additional clarity. Social and economic aspects are included for each technology discussed, along with a number of research works and their findings in a diverse mix of areas including energy, environmental science, biotechnology, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering. Researchers and professionals in these disciplines will gain knowledge on the underlying concepts, technologies, fuel applications and solutions to global environmental issues using bioenergy resources. Presents technical and social issues surrounding the latest bioenergy technologies Explores solutions to global sustainability goals through bioenergy applications and the future of energy security Includes experimental investigations of engine performance, emissions and combustion phenomena using different types of oxygenated fuel

Anaerobic digestion processes for the treatment of wastewaters and sludges are well over 100 years old. The anaerobic process is a natural gasification process, producing very useful end-products. It has taken a long time to prove that these processes are useful tools in sustainable development. A breakthrough was the development of the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed reactor by Professor Gatze Lettinga. This showed that the anaerobic process could be operated as a highly effective and high-rate wastewater treatment process, opening the way to its implementation under practical conditions. It has, so far, been a struggle to prove the feasibility of anaerobic treatment, despite the obvious advantages in energy consumption, sludge production, and required land area; its drawbacks, i.e. required effluent polishing, odours, sensitivity to toxic compounds, made potential users reluctant to choose anaerobic instead of the conventional aerobic systems. However, as shown by the contributions in this issue, intensive research has overcome most of these drawbacks. To celebrate the career of Professor Lettinga, leading experts on anaerobic digestion processes were invited to highlight the state-of-the-art and future developments in their specific fields of interest. Seminar topics included microbiology, treatment of industrial wastewaters, xenobiotics and extreme environments, the biological S-cycle, treatment of domestic wastewater and the history of anaerobic digestion. The selected 20 papers in these proceedings represent the state of the art of anaerobic digestion, highlighting its impacts and potentials. They also recognised the stimulating role of Professor Gatze Lettinga in this development and agree with him that anaerobic digestion's full potential is still unexploited.