Special Interest Catogories: biotechnology; materials science; medicine; ecology and chemistry. The book summarizes the literature data and research results on biodegradable polyesters of microbiological origin -- polymers of hydroxy alkanoic acids (polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHAs). These polymers are thermoplastic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. They are promising candidates for applications in agriculture, communal services, pharmacology, medicine, and other spheres. The book sums up the most recent data on the known types of polyhydroxyalkanoates, their producers, substrates, and methods of biosynthesis. The structure and physicochemical properties of these polymers, the methods used to process them to make specialised products and spheres of their application are described in the book.

The book summarizes in a comprehensive manner many of the recent technical research accomplishments in the area of natural polymers. It discusses the various attempts reporting on solving this problem from the point of view of the chemistry and the structure of natural polymers, highlighting the drawbacks and advantages of each method and proposal. Based on considerations of structure - property relations, it is possible to obtain fibers with improved strength by making use of their nanostructures and/or mesophase properties of natural polymers. The book is a unique book with contributions from the experts of the biomaterial area research. it covers all topics related to natural biomaterials such as natural rubber, cellulose, chitin, starch, hemicellulose, lignin, alginates, soy protein, casein and their bionanocomposites and applications. This book is a useful reference for scientists, academicians, research scholars and biotechnologists.

Wastewater Treatment Residues as Resources for Biorefinery Products and Energy reviews wastewater treatment processes and the use of residues. The viability of end use processes for residues, such as incineration, cement additives, agricultural fertilizers, and methane production are reviewed and analyzed, as are new processes for the use of residues within a fuels production system, such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction and syngas. Specialized chapters discuss fractionation of biomass, the production of compounds from volatile fatty acids that conceptually proceed from the anaerobic acidogenesis of residues, and a final analysis of the overall productivity and viability that can be expected from these production schemes. - Discusses processes for the production of high value-added products and energy development from sludge - Provides value-added technologies for resource utilization in wastewater systems - Outlines sustainability assessments and comparisons of technologies and processes

This new book presents the authors’ biomedical studies of natural degradable biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates [PHAs]) and discusses the demand for medical-grade materials and modern trends, focusing on the present status and future potential of PHAs. The authors present and summarize their most important results and findings obtained during the last few years in experimental studies and clinical trials of PHAs at the Institute of Biophysics Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science.

The Handbook of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) focusses on and addresses varying facets of PHA biosynthesis and processing, spread across three volumes. The first volume discusses feedstock aspects, enzymology, metabolism and genetic engineering of PHA biosynthesis. It addresses better understanding the mechanisms of PHA biosynthesis in scientific terms and profiting from this understanding in order to enhance PHA biosynthesis in bio-technological terms and in terms of PHA microstructure. It further discusses making PHA competitive for outperforming established petrol-based plastics on industrial scale and obstacles for market penetration of PHA. This second volume focusses on thermodynamic and mathematical considerations of PHA biosynthesis, bioengineering aspects regarding bioreactor design and downstream processing for PHA recovery from microbial biomass. It covers microbial mixed culture processes and includes a strong industry-focused section with chapters on the economics of PHA production, industrial-scale PHA production from sucrose, next generation industrial biotechnology approaches for PHA production based on novel robust production strains, and holistic techno-economic and sustainability considerations on PHA manufacturing. Third volume is on the production of functionalized PHA bio-polyesters, the post-synthetic modification of PHA, processing and additive manufacturing of PHA, development and properties of PHA-based (bio)composites and blends, the market potential of PHA and follow-up materials, different bulk- and niche applications of PHA, and the fate and use of spent PHA items. Divided into fourteen chapters, it describes functionalized PHA and PHA modification, processing and their application including degradation of spent PHA-based products and fate of these bio-polyesters during compositing and other disposal strategies. Aimed at professionals and graduate students in Polymer (plastic) industry, wastewater treatment plants, food industry, biodiesel industry, this set: Presents comprehensive and holistic consideration of these microbial bioplastics in the volumes. Enables reader to learn about microbiological, enzymatic, genetic, synthetic biology, and metabolic aspects of PHA biosynthesis based on the latest scientific discoveries. Discusses design and operate a PHA production plant. Strong focus on post-synthetic modification, preparation of functional PHA and follow-up products, and PHA processing. Covers all related engineering considerations

This important volume provides new research on the design and application of ecologically safe formulations for protecting cultivated crops against pathogen-causing diseases and weeds—that also provide nitrogen fertilizers at the same time. The authors make a significant contribution to the development and agricultural use of environmentally safe and biodegradable new-generation pesticides with targeted and controlled release of active ingredients. They discuss the problems associated with the use and accumulation of xenobiotics in the biosphere and present highlights of modern trends in the design of new-generation formulations. The authors present their original research results on the properties of herbicides, fungicides, and nitrogen fertilizers deposited in a degradable polymer base and the effectiveness of the use of these formulations in laboratory ecosystems with higher plants infected with fusariosis and weeds. The research provided here provides a new direction for the use of degradable polymers, essential for the creation of ecologically safe agricultural technologies and reducing uncontrolled accumulation and spread of xenobiotics in the biosphere.

The crucial interdependence between humans and their environment is explored and illuminated in this revealing overview of the major environmental issues facing society in the twenty-first century. This volume presents a novel picture of some of the current advances in the research of theoretical and practical frameworks of environmental problems and solutions taken from the latest empirical findings. This new volume focuses on the aspects of new techniques that are particularly valuable for solving environmental problems. The complex environmental issues are presented in simple terms to helpreaders grasp the basics and solve relevant problems. Timely and comprehensive discussions of applications to real-world environmental concerns are a central focus of this research-oriented volume.