Plastics From Microbes

Due to the possibility that petroleum supplies will be exhausted in the next decades to come, more and more attention has been paid to the production of bacterial pl- tics including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), biopolyethylene (PE), poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), and poly(p-phenylene) (PPP). These are well-studied polymers containing at least one monomer synthesized via bacterial transformation. Among them, PHA, PLA and PBS are well known for their biodegradability, whereas PE, PTT and PPP are probably less biodegradable or are less studied in terms of their biodegradability. Over the past years, their properties and appli- tions have been studied in detail and products have been developed. Physical and chemical modifications to reduce their cost or to improve their properties have been conducted. PHA is the only biopolyester family completely synthesized by biological means. They have been investigated by microbiologists, molecular biologists, b- chemists, chemical engineers, chemists, polymer experts, and medical researchers for many years. PHA applications as bioplastics, fine chemicals, implant biomate- als, medicines, and biofuels have been developed. Companies have been est- lished for or involved in PHA related R&D as well as large scale production. It has become clear that PHA and its related technologies form an industrial value chain in fermentation, materials, feeds, and energy to medical fields.

Biotechnology for Zero Waste The use of biotechnology to minimize waste and maximize resource valorization In Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques, accomplished environmental researchers Drs. Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain and Ravi Kumar Kadeppagari deliver a robust exploration of the role of biotechnology in reducing waste and creating a zero-waste environment. The editors provide resources covering perspectives in waste management like anaerobic co-digestion, integrated biosystems, immobilized enzymes, zero waste biorefineries, microbial fuel cell technology, membrane bioreactors, nano biomaterials, and more. Ideal for sustainability professionals, this book comprehensively sums up the state-of-the-art biotechnologies powering the latest advances in zero-waste strategies. The renowned contributors address topics like bioconversion and biotransformation and detail the concept of the circular economy. Biotechnology for Zero Waste effectively guides readers on the path to creating sustainable products from waste. The book also includes: A thorough introduction to modern perspectives on zero waste drives, including anaerobic co-digestion as a smart approach for enhancing biogas production Comprehensive explorations of bioremediation for zero waste, biological degradation systems, and bioleaching and biosorption of waste Practical discussions of bioreactors for zero waste and waste2energy with biotechnology An in-depth examination of emerging technologies, including nanobiotechnology for zero waste and the economics and commercialization of zero waste biotechnologies Perfect for process engineers, natural products, environmental, soil, and inorganic chemists, Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques will also earn a place in the libraries of food technologists, biotechnologists, agricultural scientists, and microbiologists.

Bioremediation of Pollutants: From Genetic Engineering to Genome Engineering provides insights into genetic and genome engineering strategies in bioremediation, covering a wide range of microorganisms that are key to the removal of pollutants. The book includes discussions on root engineering, transgenic plants, metagenomics, bioreactors, molecular biology tools, genome editing, synthetic biology, microbial indicators, biosurfactants, biofilms, genetically modified organisms, and engineered fungi and bacteria. Presented by top experts in the field, this resource captures the essence and diversity of bioremediation methodologies in a single source. Students and beginners in environmental science, researchers, soil scientists, genetic and genome engineers, stakeholders and policymakers interested in improving this rapidly growing area of research will find this resource extremely useful. Draws together research from eminent scientists from across the globe in the areas of phytoremediation and microbial remediation Includes case studies of engineered bacterial remediation Covers the genome editing CRISPR-Cas9 system that has been less explored in plants and microorganisms

The degradation of plastics is most important for the removal and recycling of plastic wastes. The book presents a comprehensive overview of the field. Topics covered include plastic degradation methods, mechanistic actions, biodegradation, involvement of enzymes, photocatalytic degradation and the use of cyanobacteria. Also covered are the market of degradable plastics and the environmental implications. Keywords: Degradable Plastics, Bioplastics, Biodegradable Plastics, Enzymes, Cyanobacteria, Photocatalytic Degradation, Wastewater Treatment, Degradable Plastic Market, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyurethane, and Polyethylene Terephthalate.

Bioremediation refers to the clean‐up of pollution in soil, groundwater, surface water, and air using typically microbiological processes. It uses naturally occurring bacteria and fungi or plants to degrade, transform or detoxify hazardous substances to human health or the environment. For bioremediation to be effective, microorganisms must enzymatically attack the pollutants and convert them to harmless products. As bioremediation can be effective only where environmental conditions permit microbial growth and action, its application often involves the management of ecological factors to allow microbial growth and degradation to continue at a faster rate. Like other technologies, bioremediation has its limitations. Some contaminants, such as chlorinated organic or high aromatic hydrocarbons, are resistant to microbial attack. They are degraded either gradually or not at all, hence, it is not easy to envisage the rates of clean-up for bioremediation implementation. Bioremediation represents a field of great expansion due to the important development of new technologies. Among them, several decades on metagenomics expansion has led to the detection of autochthonous microbiota that plays a key role during transformation. Transcriptomic guides us to know the expression of key genes and proteomics allow the characterization of proteins that conduct specific reactions. In this book we show specific technologies applied in bioremediation of main interest for research in the field, with special attention on fungi, which have been poorly studied microorganisms. Finally, new approaches in the field, such as CRISPR-CAS9, are also discussed. Lastly, it introduces management strategies, such as bioremediation application for managing affected environment and bioremediation approaches. Examples of successful bioremediation applications are illustrated in radionuclide entrapment and retardation, soil stabilization and remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, plastics or fluorinated compounds. Other emerging bioremediation methods include electro bioremediation, microbe-availed phytoremediation, genetic recombinant technologies in enhancing plants in accumulation of inorganic metals, and metalloids as well as degradation of organic pollutants, protein-metabolic engineering to increase bioremediation efficiency, including nanotechnology applications are also discussed.

Plastic is one of the widely used polymers around the globe since its discovery. It is highly impossible to think the ease of life without the aid of plastic. Every year billion tons of plastic waste gets accumulated in the environment and leads to death of both marine and terrestrial animals. Plastic is very durable and needs around 1000 years to degrade under the natural environment. The present book illustrates the importance and significance of the bioremediation to tackle the problem of plastic waste. Previously, we have reported elite rhizobacterial isolates (Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain VASB14/WL and Bacillus cereus strain VASB1/TS) of Avicennia marina Vierh (Forsk.) from the West Coast of India with the potential to degrade plastic (polythene). The present book attempted to address the bioremediation scenario of plastic waste (including micro plastic) using microbes with bacteria in particular. Various strategies used to tackle with the plastic waste were highlighted with case studies of plastic waste management, including in vitro, in situ and ex situ with a special reference to biodegradation technology. After the biodegradation of the plastic using microbes, the generated plastic (polythene) degradation products (PE-DPs) were also documented using GC-MS technique followed by their deleterious effect on both animal and plant systems. The book also enhances the awareness of the plastic-free society and also suggests some alternative materials to be used instead of plastic. Lastly, the book suggests/recommends the strategies to be followed by the lawmakers in the government organizations/non-government organizations/social organizations to frame the regulations and guidelines to implement at mass level to reduce the generation of plastic waste.

This book provides the latest information on bioplastics and biodegradable plastics. The initial chapters introduce readers to the various sources and substrates for the synthesis of bioplastics and biodegradable plastics, and explain their general structure, physio-chemical properties and classification. In turn, the book discusses innovative methods for the production of bioplastics at the industrial level and for the microbial production of bioplastics. It highlights the processes that are involved in the conversion of agro-industrial waste into bioplastics, while also summarizing the mechanisms of biodegradation in bioplastics. The book addresses a range of biotechnological applications of bioplastics such as in agriculture, food packaging and pharmaceutical industry, as well as biomedical applications.