Includes index

Constraints in commercial bio-inoculant production and their quality assurance
Psychrophiles: Their Diversity and Industrial Applications
Lactic Acid: A Potential Microbial Metabolite
Production, Characteristics and Biotechnological Applications of Alkaline Pectinases
Properties, Uses and Directed Evolution of Glucansucrases Elaborated by Various Leuconostoc mesenteroides
Biotechnological Relevance of Ergot Alkaloids with Future Perspectives
Production and characterisation of exopolysaccharides in submerged culture of different species of Phellinus
Production of value-added Hydroxy Fatty Acids by a Bacterial Strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3
Bioactive potential of actinomycetes from India and Saudi Arabia
Potential entomopathogenic fungi for management of insect pests
Biotechnological applications of fusaria
Microbial production and applications of 1,3-propanodial
Biochemical methods for production of aldehydes and organic acids
Genetic manipulation in sustainable crop production
Characterisation of Streptomyces Causing Potato Scab Disease in Korea
Secondary metabolite mediated antagonism against soil borne pathogens
Biocatalysis and Biodegradation in the Context of Functional Genomics
Bioremediation of Agrochemicals and Heavy Metals in Soil
Application of Microorganisms for Bioremediation of Organochlorine and Organophosphate Pesticides
Fungal biosorbents: A benign alternative for removal and recovery of heavy metals from wastewater

A large number of microbes have been exploited commercially in multifarious areas such as production of industrially viable products, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, recovery of metals, improvement and maintenance of environmental quality, and pest control. The book embodies twenty review articles contributed by the subject experts from India, Japan and South Korea. The articles fall under the three categories; agriculture 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 known for their role in fermentation, economics, and systematics have been dealt with in great detail. Biotechnological applications of pectinases in general and alkaline pectinases in particular play a significant role in industries. Production, characteristics and applications of microbial alkaline pectinolytic enzymes have been elaborated. Nowadays, semi-synthetic ergot alkaloids are widely used as a potential therapeutic agent. Microbial production of glucans, functional organisation and their industrial significance have been systematically reviewed. Bioactive exopolysaccharides production from mushrooms have gained importance in recent years. Production and characterisation of exopolysaccharides and conversion of unsaturated fatty acids into value-added hydroxyl fatty acids by using microorganisms is being done in 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 have been advantageous for industries. Some chapters are devoted to the potential entomopathogenic fungi for management of pests, biotechnological applications of fusaria, microbial metabolite-mediated biocontrol of soil-borne plant pathogens, bioremediation of heavy metals, organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides. Although bio-inoculants are eco-friendly and are being used too but reviewers have emphasized the constraints in commercial bio-inoculant production and their quality assurance.