Protein engineering has proved to be one of the more fruitful technological approaches in biotechnology, being both very powerful and able to generate valuable intellectual property. This book aims to present examples in which the application of protein engineering has successfully solved problems arising in industrial biotechnology. There is a section on its use to enhance purification of recombinant proteins. The use of protein engineering to modify the activity or the stability of industrial enzymes from lipases to proteases, from carboxypeptidases to glucanases and glucosidases, and from pectin modifying enzymes to enzymes able to degrade recalcitrant compounds is extensively covered. It is shown how areas as diverse as agrofood technology, fine chemistry, detergents, bioremediation and biosensors receive significant contributions from protein and solvent engineering. The application of protein engineering to health care is also covered, from the development of new vaccines to new potential therapeutic proteins. A specific notation is given to protein engineering in the development of target molecules for drug discovery. International in scope, the many contributions are drawn from academia and industry. The text should be of interest to students and researchers in industrial biotechnology as well as to everybody interested in basic research in protein structure, molecular genetics, bio-organic chemistry, biochemistry, agrobiotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and medicine.

The last five decades have witnessed a tremendous upsurge in the amount of xenobiotic compounds in the environment by industrial activities, some of them being highly toxic, recalcitrant with high bio-accumulating and bio-magnification properties. Whilst biotechnology is the development of products or processes using plants, animals or micro-organisms, ''Environmental Biotechnology'' is the multidisciplinary integration of sciences and engineering to utilise the huge biochemical potential of microorganisms and plants for the sustenance of resources. Recent advances in biotechnology have driven forward the harnessing of micro-organisms and plants to help and protect our fragile environment and formation of ecofriendly products. The aim of this book is to determine the processes and utilization of raw materials in the industries, formation and release of pollutants (air, water and soil) in the environment, effect and impact of the pollutants on biotic and abiotic components of the environment and finally identifying the physical, chemical, biological and alternating methods for treatment of pollutants in the industrial effluents. Efforts have also been made to identify the methods for bioconversion and recovery of products from the effluents by biotechnological methods.

Unparalleled in size and scope, this new major reference integrates academic and industrial knowledge into a single resource, allowing for a unique overview of the entire field. Adopting a systematic and practice-oriented approach, and including a wide range of technical and methodological information, this highly accessible handbook is an invaluable 'toolbox' for any bioengineer. In two massive volumes, it covers the full spectrum of current concepts, methods and application areas.

Describing all topics of white biotechnology admitted to the 7th EU Frame Programme and new industrial production processes aiming towards the Kyoto objectives, this comprehensive overview covers the technology, applications, economic potential and implications for society. Directed at readers with a general interest in a specific technology, this is equally suitable as an introductory handbook to a wide range of industries, including chemicals, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, food and feed, paper and pulp, personal care, energy and agriculture.

Vitamins are a group of physiologically very important, chemically quite complex organic compounds, that are essential for humans and animals. Some vitamins and other growth factors behave as antioxidants, while some can be considered as biopigments. As their chemical synthesis is laborious, their biotechnology-based synthesis and production via microbial fermentation has gained substantial interest within the last decades. Recent progress in microbial genetics and in metabolic engineering and implementation of innovative bioprocess technology has led to a biotechnology-based industrial production of many vitamins and related compounds. Divided into three sections, this volume covers: 1. water-soluble vitamins 2. fat-soluble vitamin compounds and 3. other growth factors, biopigments, and antioxidants. They are all reviewed systematically: from natural occurrence and assays, via biosynthesis, strain development, to industrially-employed biotechnological syntheses and applications.

This important new book covers recent advancements, innovations, and technologies in industrial biotechnology, specifically addressing the application of various biomolecules in industrial production and in cleaning and environmental remediation sectors. The goal of industrial biotechnology is to develop new techniques and technologies to transform renewable raw materials into chemicals, materials, and fuels by the substitution of fossil fuels. With the increase in the world’s population and the resultant growing energy demand, the need for more energy can be successfully met with the advancements in industrial biotechnology. Currently across the globe significant research has been undertaken in the production of cleaner fuels, materials, and semi-synthetic chemicals, with environmental benefits. Developing countries have huge agricultural resources that could be utilized for production of value-added byproducts for the sustainable development of bio-based economy. The book opens with the chapter on the production of exopolysaccharides from halophilic microorganisms, a polymer that is normally very useful in various production sectors of the food, pharmaceutical, and petroleum industries. The book goes on to cover: The production of antimicrobial compounds from alkaliphilic bacteria Thermophilic actinomycetes Food, agro, and pharmaceutical potential and biotechnological applications of biosurfactants, halophiles, cyclodextrin glycosyl transferease, fungal chitinase, proteases, yeasts and yeast products Also covered in the book are the environmental aspects of industrial biotechnology such as the genetic enhancement for biofuel production, the production of biodegradable thermoplastics, advancements in the synthesis of bio-oil, ecofriendly treatment of agro-based lignocelluloses, and anaerobic bio reactors for hydrocarbon remediation. The international roster of chapter authors have been chosen for their renowned expertise and contribution to the various fields of industrial biotechnology. This book is suitable to chemists, biotechnologists from research institutes, academia, and students as well as for industry professionals

This contributed volume comprises of detailed chapters covering the biotechnological approaches employed for the removal of toxic recalcitrant xenobiotics such as petroleum hydrocarbons, textile dyes, microplastics and synthetic polymers that pose serious threat to the environment. It also includes the waste to energy conversion strategies that provides a deep insight on the need for waste circular economy for different developing countries and its implication on sustainable development goals such as SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) SDG 14 (Life below water); and SDG 15 (Life on land). Emerging pollutants sourced from both industries and anthropogenic activity have created havoc in recent years for public health and destruction of biodiversity at multiple levels. The alarming increase in the global population and rapid industrialization might aggravate the problems associated with these hazardous pollutants in near future. Effluent from different industries may contain high amounts of xenobiotic hazardous contaminants such as dyes, hydrocarbons, synthetic surfactants, microplastics, etc. Industries and public sewers handling such waste streams are facing a plethora of challenges in the effluent treatment and solid waste disposal due to various factors that start from production to adoption of appropriate technologies. Therefore, there is an immediate circumvention of bottlenecks through sustainable mitigation strategies. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders and policymakers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists, policy makers also find this to be a useful read.

This substantially revised and updated classic reference offers a valuable overview and myriad details on current chemical processes, products, and practices. No other source offers as much data on the chemistry, engineering, economics, and infrastructure of the industry. The two volume Handbook serves a spectrum of individuals, from those who are directly involved in the chemical industry to others in related industries and activities. Industrial processes and products can be much enhanced through observing the tenets and applying the methodologies found in the book’s new chapters.