Microbial Polymers: Applications and Ecological Perspectives

This book cover all types of microbe based polymers and their application in diverse sectors with special emphasis on agriculture. It collates latest research, methods, opinion, perspectives, and reviews dissecting the microbial origins of polymers, their production, design, and processing at industrial level, as well as improvements for specific industrial applications. Book also discusses recent advances in biopolymer production and their modification for amplifying the value. In addition, understanding of the microbial physiology and optimal conditions for polymer production are also explained. This compilation of scientific chapters on principles and practices of microbial polymers fosters the knowledge transfer among scientific communities, industries, and microbiologist and serves students, academicians, researchers for a better understanding of the nature of microbial polymers and application procedure for sustainable ecosystem.

Chapter 1. The production and applications of microbial derived polyhydroxy butyrates -- Chapter 2. Fungal exopolysaccharides: types, production and application -- Chapter 3. Isolation and purification of microbial exopolysaccharides and their industrial applications -- Chapter 4. A review on properties and application of xanthan gum -- Chapter 5. Biosynthesis and characterization of poly-(3)-hydroxyalkanoic acid by Bacillus megaterium SF4 using different carbohydrates -- Chapter 6. Mushroom mycelia-based material: an environmental friendly alternative to synthetic packaging -- Chapter 7. An overview of microbial derived polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB): production and characterization -- Chapter 8. Insight of Biopolymers and applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates -- Chapter 9. Microbial pigments and their application -- Chapter 10. Extracellular polymeric substances from agriculturally important microorganisms -- Chapter 11. Significance of bacterial polyhydroxy alkanoates in rhizosphere -- Chapter 12. Role of microbial biofilms in agriculture: perspectives on plant and soil health -- Chapter 13. Biological soil crusts to keep soil alive, rehabilitate degraded soil, and develop soil hab…