Advances in the Domain of Environmental Biotechnology: Microbiological Developments in Industries, Wastewater Treatment and Agriculture (Environmental and Microbial Biotechnology)

This book complies latest advancement in the field of environmental biotechnology. It focuses on topics that comprises industrial, environment and agricultural related issues to microbiological studies and exhibits correlation between biological world and dependence of humans on it. It is designed into three sections covering the role of environmental biotechnology in industry, environmental remediation, and agriculture. Ranging from micro-scale studies to macro, it covers up a huge domain of environmental biotechnology. Overall the book portrays the importance of modern biotechnology technologies in solving the problems in modern day life. The book is a ready reference for practicing students, researchers of biotechnology, environmental engineering, chemical engineering and other allied fields likewise. Preface Acknowledgements Contents Editors and Contributors Part I: Industrial Biotechnology Chapter 1: Lactic Acid Bacteria for Production of Platform Chemicals: A Dark Horse in the Field of Industrial Biotechnology 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) 1.2 Substrates for Lactic Acid Production by Fermentation 1.2.1 Starchy Biomass as a Substrate for Lactic Acid Production 1.2.2 Lignocellulosic Wastes Can Serve as Ideal Feedstocks for Lactic Acid 1.3 Saccharification and Fermentation for Lactic Acid Production 1.4 Constraints in Biobased Production of Lactic Acid 1.4.1 Difficult Multistep Processing of Recalcitrant Lignocellulosic Biomass 1.4.2 Mixed Sugar Utilization and Carbon Catabolite Repression 1.4.3 Formation of Nondesirable By-products Due to Heterofermentation 1.4.4 Optical Purity and Stereospecificity of Lactic Acid 1.4.5 Selection of Extremophilic Strains for Lactic Acid Production 1.5 Metabolic Engineering of LAB 1.5.1 Metabolic Engineering of LAB for Improved Cellular Traits Against Different Stress 1.6 Conclusion References Chapter 2: Solid-State Fermentation: Use of Agroindustrial Residues 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Microorganisms 2.3 Fermentation Conditions 2.4 Bioreactors for Solid-State Fermentation 2.4.1 Main Types of Bioreactors 2.4.1.1 Tray Bioreactor 2.4.1.2 Column Bioreactor 2.4.1.3 Rotary Drum Bioreactor 2.5 Applications 2.5.1 Production of Cellulases 2.5.2 Production of Amylases 2.5.3 Production of Pectinases 2.5.4 Nutritional Enrichment References Chapter 3: Microemulsified Systems and Their Environmental Advantages for the Oil Industry 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Microemulsions 3.2.1 From Phase Diagrams to Microemulsion 3.3 Petroleum Industry Applications 3.3.1 Preflush Fluid 3.3.2 Characterization of Preflush Fluids 3.3.2.1 Removal Test 3.3.2.2 Wettability Inversion Test 3.3.2.3 Compatibility Test 3.3.2.4 Compressive Strength 3.3.3 Drilling Fluid 3.3.4 Characterization of Drilling Fluids 3.3.4.1 Rheological Parameters. 3.3.4.2 Filtration Test 3.3.4.3 Dynamic-Aging Test 3.3.4.4 Solids Content 3.3.4.5 Lubricity 3.4 Conclusion References Chapter 4: Microbial Exopolysaccharides as Biosurfactants in Environmental and Industrial Applications 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Types of Biosurfactants 4.2.1 Glycolipids 4.2.2 Fatty Acids, Phospholipids, and Neutral Lipids 4.2.3 Polymeric Biosurfactants 4.2.4 Particulate Biosurfactants 4.3 Biosurfactant Producing Major Microorganisms 4.4 Biosurfactant Properties and Its Advantages 4.4.1 Surface and Interfacial Activity 4.4.2 Tolerance to Temperature, pH, and Ionic Strength 4.4.3 Biodegradability 4.4.4 Low Toxicity 4.4.5 Specificity 4.4.6 Biocompatibility and Digestibility 4.4.7 Emulsion Forming 4.4.8 Antibiofilm Properties 4.5 Factors Affecting Biosurfactants Production 4.5.1 Carbon and Nitrogen Sources 4.5.2 Environmental Factors 4.5.3 Aeration and Agitation 4.5.4 Salt Concentration 4.6 Growth Conditions and Metabolic Pathways 4.6.1 Microbial Biosurfactant Physiological Role 4.6.2 Fermentation Process for Biosurfactant Production 4.6.3 Effect of Various Initial Concentrations 4.6.4 Raw Material for Biosurfactant Production and Its Recovery 4.7 Promising and Emerging Application of Biosurfactants 4.7.1 Environmental Bioremediation and Bioleaching Applications 4.7.2 Petroleum Industry and Agriculture Applications 4.7.3 Pharmaceutical Industries, Cosmetics, and Food Industrial Applications 4.8 Advantages of Biosurfactants 4.8.1 Biodegradability 4.8.2 Low Toxicity 4.8.3 Surface and Interface Activity 4.8.4 Physical Factors 4.8.5 Availability of Raw Materials 4.9 Conclusion and Future Perspectives References Chapter 5: Biodegradable Polymers for Food Packaging and Active Food Packaging 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Genesis of Packaging Material 5.3 Biocomposites in Food Packaging 5.4 Active Food Packaging 5.4.1 Antimicrobial Peptides in Food Packaging 5.4.2 Bacteriophages in Food Packaging 5.5 Biodegradation of Biodegradable Packaging Films 5.6 Limitations of Biodegradable Films Used in Packaging 5.7 Conclusions References Part II: Environmental Biotechnology Chapter 6: 3D Printing Technology in the Environment 6.1 Introduction 6.2 3D Printing as a Recent Trend 6.3 3D Printing Application in Environmental Biotechnology 6.3.1 3D Technologies for Bioremediation 6.3.2 3D Technologies for (Bio)monitoring 6.3.2.1 Operating and Supporting Components 6.3.2.2 Fluidic Platforms 6.3.2.3 Electroactive and Catalytic Surfaces 6.4 Future Trends References Chapter 7: Biofuel: Marine Biotechnology Securing Alternative Sources of Renewable Energy 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Biofuels and Its Types 7.2.1 Qualities of Sustainable Biofuels 7.2.2 Benefits of Third-Generation Biofuel over First- and Second-Generation Biofuels 7.3 Marine Sources for Biofuel Production 7.4 Algae Harvesting Technology 7.5 Algal Oil Extraction for Biofuels Production 7.6 Biofuels Production 7.6.1 Biodiesels Production 7.6.1.1 Methods of Biodiesel Production Transesterification Esterification Enzymatic Conversion Non-Catalytic Conversion 7.6.1.2 Biodiesel Separation and Purification 7.6.1.3 Some Issues Considered During Biodiesel Production 7.6.2 Bioethanol Production 7.6.2.1 Marine Algae-Based Bioethanol Production Process Liquefaction Saccharification Ethanol Fermentation 7.6.2.2 Other Issues Related to Bioethanol Production 7.6.3 Biobutanol 7.6.3.1 Biobutanol Production Algae Pretreatment for Biobutanol Production ABE Fermentation 7.6.4 Marine Biogas 7.6.4.1 Anaerobic Digestion and Production Process 7.6.5 Biomethane Production from Marine Microalgae 7.6.6 Biohydrogen Production 7.6.7 Bio-Oil and Syngas Production 7.7 New Opportunities for Biofuels and Advantages of Producing Biofuel from Marine Algae 7.8 Challenges and Disadvantages of Using Algae and Algal Biofuel 7.9 Conclusions References Chapter 8: Modified or Functionalized Natural Bioadsorbents: New Perspectives as Regards the Elimination of Environmental Poll... 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Naturally Occurring Adsorbent Materials 8.3 Modified Bioadsorbent Materials 8.3.1 Bioadsorbent Materials Modified by Chemical Activation 8.3.2 Activated Carbon 8.3.3 Biochar 8.3.4 Immobilized Bioadsorbent Materials 8.4 Functionalized Bioadsorbent Materials 8.4.1 Natural 8.4.2 Activated Carbons 8.4.3 Biofunctionalized Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) 8.5 Conclusions and Future Prospects References Chapter 9: Electrochemical Biosensing of Algal Toxins 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Anthropogenic Contribution to Eutrophication 9.3 Algal Toxins and the Importance of Analytical Control 9.4 Electrochemical Biosensors for Algal Toxins 9.5 Conclusions References Chapter 10: Bioinspired Superoleophobic Materials for Oil-Water Separation 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Superoleophobic and Superhydrophobic Surfaces 10.2.1 Surface Science 10.2.2 Wetting Theory 10.2.3 Designing/Fabrication of the Surface 10.2.4 Superamphiphobic Surface 10.2.5 Importance of Oil/Water Separation 10.3 Bioinspired Superoleophobic Material 10.3.1 Superoleophobic Materials Derived from Plants 10.3.1.1 Lotus Leaf 10.3.1.2 Rose Petals 10.3.1.3 Rice Leaf 10.3.1.4 Seaweed 10.3.1.5 Pitcher Plant 10.3.2 Superoleophobic Materials Derived from Animals 10.3.2.1 Skin of Springtail 10.3.2.2 Filefish Skin 10.3.2.3 Clam ́s Shell 10.3.2.4 Fish Skin/Scales 10.3.2.5 Sharkskin 10.3.2.6 Leafhoppers 10.4 Novel Fabrication Techniques for Superoleophobic Materials 10.4.1 Electrospinning 10.4.2 Layer-by-Layer Technology 10.4.3 Spray Coating 10.4.4 Lithography 10.5 Conclusion References Chapter 11: Biotechnology Applied to Treatments of Agro-industrial Wastes 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Final Disposal of Agro-Industrial Waste 11.3 Traditional Approach to Treatment Technologies 11.3.1 Waste Management of Food Agro-Industries 11.3.1.1 Agricultural Waste Treatments 11.3.1.2 Waste from Meat, Poultry, and Fish Processing 11.3.2 Waste Management of Non-Food Agro-Industries 11.3.2.1 Tobacco 11.3.2.2 Leather 11.3.2.3 Rubber 11.3.2.4 Paper 11.4 Enzymes for the Degradation of Pollutants 11.5 Conclusion References Chapter 12: Biocoagulants as an Alternative for Water Treatment 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Coagulation 12.2.1 Coagulation Mechanisms 12.3 Biocoagulants 12.3.1 Operating Conditions 12.3.2 Prospects for the Use of Biocoagulants 12.3.3 Moringa oleifera for Water Treatment 12.3.4 Surface and Wastewater Treatment Experiences in the Use of Biocoagulants 12.4 Technical, Economic, and Environmental Challenges in the Use of Moringa oleifera as Biocoagulant 12.5 Final Considerations References Chapter 13: Multicriteria Analysis in the Selection of Agro-Industrial Waste for the Production of Biopolymers 13.1 Introduction 13.2 The Plastics Industry and Its Evolution 13.3 Environmental, Ethical, and Economic Challenges in the Production of Synthetic Polymers 13.4 Biopolymers, Bioplastics, and Biocomposites 13.5 Trend of Biotechnological Processes in the Production of Biopolymers 13.6 Potential Agro-Industrial Waste in the Production of Polymerizable Raw Material 13.7 Multicriteria Analysis Tools Applicable in the Selection of Lignocellulosic Residues for the Formulation of Biopolymers References Chapter 14: Mathematical Modeling Challenges Associated with Waste Anaerobic Biodegradability 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Overview of Waste Biodegradation Under Anaerobic Conditions 14.2.1 Steps of Anaerobic Digestion Process 14.2.2 Effect of Waste Composition on the Anaerobic Process 14.3 Modeling the Anaerobic Biodegradation of Residues 14.3.1 Stoichiometric Models 14.3.2 Kinetic Models 14.3.2.1 Microbial Growth Models 14.3.2.2 Production, Yield, and Cumulative Reduction Kinetics of the Organic Fraction 14.3.3 Dynamic Models 14.4 Co-digestion 14.5 To Model or Not to Model: Where Is Really the Opportunity? 14.5.1 Trends in Anaerobic Digestion Modeling 14.5.2 Feasibility of Applying the Models 14.6 Remarks References Chapter 15: ANAMMOX in Wastewater Treatment 15.1 Introduction 15.2 ANAMMOX Bacteria (Species Diversity) 15.2.1 The Aerobic Ammonium Oxidizer 15.2.2 The Aerobic Nitrite Oxidizers 15.2.3 Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidizers 15.3 ANAMMOX-Involved Processes 15.3.1 Partial Nitritation-ANAMMOX 15.3.1.1 Temperature and Sludge Residence Time (SRT) 15.3.1.2 Influent Alkalinity/Ammonium and pH 15.3.1.3 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 15.3.2 Completely Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Over Nitrite (CANON) 15.4 ANAMMOX Application to Different Wastewaters 15.4.1 The Test Device and Method 15.4.2 Application of ANAMMOX and Partial Denitrification Coupling Process 15.4.2.1 Separated Process 15.4.2.2 Combined Process 15.4.3 Reactor Management 15.4.4 Engineering Application 15.4.5 Other Applications 15.4.5.1 Advantages 15.4.5.2 Disadvantages 15.5 Conclusion References Chapter 16: Microbial Bioremediation: A Cutting-Edge Technology for Xenobiotic Removal 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Classification and Sources of Xenobiotics 16.3 Xenobiotic Bioremediation Utilizing Microbes 16.3.1 Role of Bacteria for Xenobiotic Removal 16.3.2 Role of Fungi in Xenobiotic Removal 16.4 Bioremediation with Microbial Enzymes 16.5 Factors Influencing the Biodegradation Ability of Microbes 16.6 Conclusion References Chapter 17: Conventional Wastewater Treatment Processes 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Types of Wastewater 17.3 Process of Wastewater Treatment 17.3.1 Preliminary Treatment 17.3.2 Primary Treatment 17.3.3 Secondary Treatment 17.3.3.1 Aerobic Process 17.3.3.2 Anaerobic Process 17.3.3.3 Pond Treatment Processes 17.3.4 Tertiary Treatment 17.4 Conclusion References Chapter 18: Analytical Techniques/Technologies for Studying Ecological Microbial Samples 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Overview of the Traditional Culture-Based Techniques 18.2.1 Liquid Culture Medium 18.2.2 Solid Culture Medium 18.3 Classical Culture-Independent Molecular Techniques 18.3.1 Nucleic Acid Reassociation and Hybridization 18.3.2 Genetic Fingerprinting Methods 18.3.3 Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) 18.3.4 Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) 18.3.5 Single-Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) 18.3.6 Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) 18.3.7 Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (RISA) 18.4 Modern Molecular Methods of Studying Microbial Communities 18.4.1 Stable-Isotope Probing Techniques 18.4.2 Quantitative PCR 18.5 ``Omics ́ ́ Approaches to Studying Microbial Sample 18.5.1 Genomics 18.5.1.1 Functional DNA Array 18.5.1.2 Phylogenetic Oligonucleotide Arrays 18.5.1.3 Next-Generation Sequencing 18.5.2 Transcriptomics 18.5.3 Proteomic Approaches 18.5.3.1 Mass-Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Technologies 18.5.3.2 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy 18.5.3.3 Protein Array 18.6 Metabolomics 18.7 Multi-Omics Approach 18.7.1 Keys to Designing an Experiment for Better Integration of Multiple Omics Approach 18.7.2 Approaches for Analysis and Interpretation of Multi-Omics Data/Data Integration 18.7.2.1 Pitfalls in Multi-Omics Integration and Future Perspectives References Part III: Agricultural Biotechnology Chapter 19: Rhizobium Diversity Is the Key to Efficient Interplay with Phaseolus vulgaris. Case of Study of Southern Ecuador 19.1 Introduction 19.2 Understanding Rhizobium Diversity and Distribution to Improve Interplay with Phaseolus vulgaris 19.2.1 Rhizobia Strains Identification Linked to P. vulgaris in the American Continent 19.2.2 Microsymbionts Beyond America 19.3 The Efficiency of Rhizobium-Bean Interaction Mediated by Biotic and Abiotic Factors 19.3.1 Promiscuity as a Biotic Constraint for Achieving a High Rate of N Fixation in Common Bean 19.4 Seeking Efficiency of Rhizobium Species Based on Its Biodiversity 19.4.1 Genotypic Variability Among Local Bean Genotypes and Native Rhizobium Strains. Case of Study of Southern Ecuador 19.4.1.1 Rhizobium Biodiversity at Southern Ecuador 19.4.1.2 Authentication of Rhizobium Isolates and N Fixation under Greenhouse Assay 19.5 Conclusions and Perspectives References Chapter 20: Algae as Environmental Biotechnological Tool for Monitoring Health of Aquatic Ecosystem 20.1 Introduction 20.2 Biomonitoring 20.2.1 Diatoms 20.2.2 Desmids 20.2.3 Chlorococcales 20.2.4 Euglenophyceae 20.2.5 Cyanophyceae 20.2.6 Algal Assemblage 20.2.7 Phytoplankton Functional Group 20.2.8 Morpho-Functional Groups 20.2.9 Morphologically Based Functional Groups 20.3 Conclusion References Chapter 21: Contribution of the Environmental Biotechnology to the Sustainability of the Coffee Processing Industry in Develop... 21.1 Introduction 21.2 Solid Coffee Wastes: Problem or Opportunity? 21.3 The Environmental Biotechnology and the Solid Coffee Wastes 21.3.1 Animal Food and Biotechnological By-Products 21.3.2 Compost 21.3.3 Anaerobic Digestion 21.4 The Role of Environmental Biotechnology Creating New Values to the Coffee Processing Industry 21.4.1 How Far Is the Coffee Industry from Producing ``Sustainable Coffee ́ ́? 21.4.2 Biophysical Indicators of Sustainability Within the Coffee Production and Processing Processes 21.4.2.1 Simple Biophysical Indicators Propose to Measure the Sustainability of the Coffee Industry 21.5 Remarks References Chapter 22: Interactions Between Edaphoclimatic Conditions and Plant-Microbial Inoculants and Their Impacts on Plant Growth, N... 22.1 Introduction 22.2 Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF) 22.3 Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) for Sustainable Agriculture 22.3.1 PGPR as Biofertilizers 22.3.2 Phytohormone Production by PGPR 22.4 Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Its Importance for Grain Crops 22.4.1 Bacterial Inoculant Products and Efficiency 22.4.2 Crop Responses to Microbial Inoculation 22.5 Cyanobacteria Based in Inoculants for Plants in the Crop Production 22.5.1 Cultivation of Cyanobacteria 22.5.2 Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Cyanobacteria 22.5.3 Use of Cyanobacteria as an Inoculant in Several Cultures 22.6 Soil Fertility Attributes Related to Symbiosis Efficiency 22.6.1 Acidic pH and Excess of Al 22.6.2 Mineral N 22.6.3 Phosphorus 22.6.4 Sulfur 22.6.5 Molybdenum and Cobalt 22.7 Effect of Crop and Soil Management on Microbial Inoculant Efficiency 22.8 Biocontrol Activity 22.8.1 Biocontrol Mechanisms 22.8.1.1 Production of Antibiotics and Other Bioactive Compounds 22.8.1.2 Hyperparasitism (or Mycoparasitism) 22.8.1.3 Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) 22.8.1.4 Antagonism by Competition 22.8.1.5 Siderophores 22.8.2 Current Perspectives in Biocontrol Activity 22.9 Crop Responses to Microbial Inoculation 22.10 Conclusion References Chapter 23: Microalgae: Cultivation, Biotechnological, Environmental, and Agricultural Applications 23.1 Introduction 23.2 General Aspects of Microalgae 23.3 Microalgal Growth 23.3.1 Factors Affecting Microalgal Growth 23.3.2 Microalgal Bioreactor Systems and Biomass Harvest 23.4 Microalgal Biomass and By-Products: Pharmaceuticals and Food Applications 23.4.1 Enzymes, Polysaccharides, and Proteins 23.4.2 Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, Lutein, and Phycobiliproteins 23.5 Feedstock for Bioenergy Production 23.5.1 Biogas, Biodiesel, Biohydrogen, and Bioethanol 23.6 Environmental and Agricultural Applications 23.6.1 Environmental Bioremediation Using Microalgae 23.6.2 Agro-Industrial Wastewater Treatments 23.6.3 Agricultural Applications 23.6.3.1 Soil Restoration 23.6.3.2 Biocontrol 23.6.3.3 Biofertilizers and Inoculants 23.7 Microalgae Supply Chain: Business Opportunity and Challenges 23.8 Conclusions References Chapter 24: Marine Resources with Potential in Controlling Plant Diseases 24.1 Introduction 24.2 Potential of Marine Algae for Plant Disease Management 24.3 Algal Extracts 24.4 Algal Polysaccharides 24.5 Extraction Techniques 24.5.1 Extraction Using Water 24.5.2 Acid Hydrolysis 24.5.3 Alkaline Hydrolysis 24.5.4 Extraction Using Enzymes 24.5.5 Pressurized Liquid Extraction 24.5.6 Eco-Friendly Methods 24.6 Application Methods 24.7 Concluding Remarks and Perspectives References