Biologically active compounds isolated from microorganisms continue to be vital to the development of new drugs and agricultural chemicals. This book was prepared by current and past members of the laboratory of Dr. Satoshi Omura of the Kitasato Institute in Japan. Dr. Omura and his colleagues have discovered and studied a number of important antibiotics, and in their work they have pioneered new methods for screening microbes for interesting and important compounds. This book presents strategies and methods for identifying novel molecules with several types of biological activity. In addition, the book discusses the identification of microbial compounds of agrochemical importance, presents information on chemical screening methods, and concludes with chapters on microbial strain selection, fermentation technology, and genetic engineering of antibiotic-producing microorganisms. This book will be of great interest to scientists working in the very active and competitive fields of antibiotic and agrochemical discovery.
Microorganisms have had a long and surprising history. They were “invisible” until invention of microscope in the 17th century. Until that date, although they were extensively (but inconsciously) employed in food preservation, beer and wine fermentation, cheese, vinegar, yogurt and bread making, as well as being the causative agents of infectious diseases, they were considered as “not-existing”. The work of Pasteur in the middle of the 19th century revealed several biological activities performed by microorganisms including fermentations and pathogenicity. Due to the urgent issue to treat infectious diseases (the main cause of death at those times) the “positive potential” of the microbial world has been neglected for about one century. Once the fight against the “evil” strains was fulfilled also thanks to the antibiotics, industry began to appreciate bacteria’s beneficial characteristics and exploit selected strains as starters for both food fermentations and aroma, enzyme and texturing agent production. However, it was only at the end of the 20th century that the probiotic potential of some bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria was fully recognized. Very recently, apart from the probiotic activity of in toto bacteria, attention has begun to be directed to the chemical mediators of the probiotic effect. Thanks also to the improvement of techniques such as transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, several bioactive compounds are continuously being discovered. Bioactive molecules produced by bacteria, yeasts and virus-infected cells proved to be important for improving or impairing human health. The most important result of last years’ research concerns the discovery that a very complex network of signals allows communication between organisms (from intra-species interactions to inter-kingdom signaling). Based on these findings a completely new approach has arisen: the system biology standpoind. Actually, the different organisms colonizing a certain environmental niche are not merely interacting with each other as individuals but should be considered as a whole complex ecosystem continuously exchanging information at the molecular level. In this context, this topic issue explores both antagonistic compounds (i.e. antibiotics) and “multiple function” cooperative molecules improving the physiological status of both stimulators and targets of this network. From the applicative viewpoint, these molecules could be hopefully exploited to develop new pharmaceuticals and/or nutraceuticals for improving human health.
Bioactive compounds play a central role in high-value product development in the chemical industry. Bioactive compounds have been identified from diverse sources and their therapeutic benefits, nutritional value and protective effects in human and animal healthcare have underpinned their application as pharmaceuticals and functional food ingredients. The orderly study of biologically active products and the exploration of potential biological activities of these secondary metabolites, including their clinical applications, standardization, quality control, mode of action and potential biomolecular interactions, has emerged as one of the most exciting developments in modern natural medicine. Biotechnology of Bioactive Compounds describes the current stage of knowledge on the production of bioactive compounds from microbial, algal and vegetable sources. In addition, the molecular approach for screening bioactive compounds is also discussed, as well as examples of applications of these compounds on human health. The first half of the book comprises information on diverse sources of bioactive compounds, ranging from microorganisms and algae to plants and dietary foods. The second half of the book reviews synthetic approaches, as well as selected bioactivities and biotechnological and biomedical potential. The bioactive compounds profiled include compounds such as C-phycocyanins, glycosides, phytosterols and natural steroids. An overview of the usage of bioactive compounds as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, anti-allergic compounds and in stem cell research is also presented, along with an overview of the medicinal applications of plant-derived compounds. Biotechnology of Bioactive Compounds will be an informative text for undergraduate and graduate students of bio-medicinal chemistry who are keen to explore the potential of bioactive natural products. It also provides useful information for scientists working in various research fields where natural products have a primary role.
A discussion of the chemical compounds produced by organisms living under extreme conditions that may have potential as drugs or leads to novel drugs for human use. This SpringerBrief deals with bioactive materials from terrestrial extremophiles.
Biotechnological Production of Bioactive Compounds provides insights on the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, solutions and practical challenges encountered in the fields of enzyme technology and nanobiotechnology for the production of bioactive materials with extra health benefits. As nanobiotechnology has improved the bioactive extraction process significantly, many bioactives, including bioflavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids, biopigments and low calorie sugar substitutes are a pivotal part of the food industry. The book highlights the production of extra health benefits "bioactives'' from plants and microbes and explains how the extraction efficiency of bioactives molecules improves significantly with the recent advances in nanobiotechnology. Researchers in the fields of biochemical engineering, biotechnology, bioremediation, environmental sustainability and those in pharma industries will find the information in this book very helpful and illuminating. - Outlines technological advances in bioactives extraction - Covers bioflavonoids, biopigments, omega-3-fatty acids and low sugar substitutes - Explains the mechanisms of Green cargo (biogenic nanoparticles) for the delivery of bioactive molecules
Deliberately breaking with the classical biology-centered description of marine organisms and their products, this reference emphasizes microbial technology over basic biology, setting it apart from its predecessors. As such, it systematically covers the technology behind high-value compounds for use as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals or cosmetics, from prospecting to production issues. Following a definition of the field, the book goes on to address all industrially important aspects of marine microbial biotechnology. The first main part contains a description of the major production organisms, from archaebacteria to cyanobacteria to algae and symbionts, including their genetic engineering. The remaining four parts look at commercially important compounds produced by these microorganisms together with their applications. Throughout, the emphasis is on technological considerations, and the future potential of these organisms or compound classes is discussed. A valuable and forward-looking resource for innovative biotechnologists in industry as well as in academia.
Discover a comprehensive and current overview of microbial bioprospecting written by leading voices in the field In Bioprospecting of Microorganism-Based Industrial Molecules, distinguished researchers and authors Sudhir P. Singh and Santosh Kumar Upadhyay deliver global perspectives of bioprospecting of biodiversity. The book covers diverse aspects of bioprospecting of microorganisms demonstrating biomass value of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and bioenergetic importance. The authors present an amalgamation of translational research on bioresource utilization and ecological sustainability that will further the reader’s knowledge of the applications of different microbial diversity and reveal new avenues of research investigation. Readers will also benefit from: A thorough introduction to microbial biodiversity and bioprospecting An exploration of anti-ageing and skin lightening microbial products and microbial production of anti-cancerous biomolecules A treatment of UV protective compounds from algal biodiversity and polysaccharides from marine microalgal sources Discussions of microbial sources of insect toxic proteins and the role of microbes in bio-surfactants production Perfect for academics, scientists, researchers, graduate and post-graduate students working and studying in the areas of microbiology, food biotechnology, industrial microbiology, plant biotechnology, and microbial biotechnology, Bioprospecting of Microorganism-Based Industrial Molecules is an indispensable guide for anyone looking for a comprehensive overview of the subject.
The marine environment covers 70% of the earth’s surface and accounts for 98% of the potentially habitable space. The bioactives from marine microorganisms include antibiotic compounds, polysaccharides, inhibitors, enzymes, peptides, and pigments. These are used in various fields of biology that range from nutraceuticals to cosmeceuticals. Recent scientific investigations have revealed that marine microbial compounds exhibit various beneficial biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-HIV, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic. Marine Microorganisms: Extraction and Analysis of Bioactive Compounds sheds light on the extraction, clean-up, and detection methods of major compounds from marine organisms. The book includes information on the different classes of marine microorganisms and the different bioactives that can be extracted from bacteria, fungi and microalgae. Divided into 7 chapters, the book covers bioactive marine natural products, such as marine microbes, seaweeds, and marine sponges as potential sources of drug discovery, and focuses on analysis methods of the biocomponents from marine microorganisms. A useful reference tool for researchers and students, this book provides current knowledge about isolation and analysis methods of the bioactives and provides insight into the various bioactives of marine microbes toward nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development.
Volatiles and Metabolites of Microbes compiles the latest research and advancement in the field of volatiles, metabolites synthesized from the microbial strains such as actinomycetes, bacteria, cyanobacteria, and fungal species and their potential applications in the field of healthcare issue and sustainable agriculture. There is an urgent need to explore new and advanced biological methods for health industries and sustainable agriculture and to protect the environment from environmental pollution or contaminates, global warming, and also control the health of human beings from the side effects of various pharmaceuticals products. Focusing all these factors, Volatiles and Metabolites of Microbes explores new aspects of microorganism in terms of volatiles, enzymes, bioactive compounds synthesized from the microbes and their potential applications in the field of sustainable agriculture and health-related issues - Provides a broad aspect about volatiles, bioactive compounds, and secondary metabolites of microbes compiled in one cover - Gives the latest research and advancement in the field of volatiles, secondary metabolites, and bioactive compounds synthesized from the different microbial strains - Responds to new developments in the detection of the complex compound structures of volatiles - Offers insight to a very broad audience in Biotechnology, Applied Microbiology, Agronomy, and Pathology
This SpringerBrief sheds new light on bioactive materials from extremophiles with the focus on the biosynthesis processes and related genomics. It deals with all aspects of the chemical compounds produced by organisms living under extreme conditions that may have potential as drugs or lead to novel drugs for human use.
