Industrial Applications of Microbial Secondary Metabolites: A Modern Approach

This comprehensive volume presents the fascinating and diverse world of microbial secondary metabolites, exploring their biosynthesis, ecological roles, and wide-ranging applications in biotechnology, pharmacy, agriculture, and various other industries. The initial chapters provide a foundational overview of microbial secondary metabolites and their immense value. The subsequent chapters discuss microbial strain engineering, enzymatic pathways, and metagenomic approaches to unlock hidden biosynthetic potential. Emphasis has also been given to how these natural products contribute to sustainable development, including eco-friendly agricultural practices and stress alleviation in crops through plant–microbe interactions. The book further explores source-specific contributions, with dedicated chapters on bacterial, fungal, algal, and marine microbial metabolites. Innovative applications are also highlighted in various chapters with recent advancements in technologies such as microbial mycoherbicides for weed control, viral-derived metabolites, and the promise of marine microbial communities. Special attention has also been given to sustainable exploitation and the integration of these compounds into functional products and solutions for global challenges.

This book serves as a valuable reference for researchers and students of microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.

The editors would welcome the fruitful suggestions from the readers to be incorporated into future editions.

Neeraj Verma, Ph.D. (Botany) with specialization in Plant Pathology, is working as Professor, Department of Agriculture Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna, India since 2012. He is currently the Head of Department of Agriculture Science, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna, MP, India. He is also the Additional Director, Research. Earlier, he was Assistant Specialist (Plant Virology), University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA. He has over 25 years of research and teaching experience. He has published more than 60 International and National research papers and several book chapters, and has published 10 books. He has worked on various research projects funded by government agencies. He has attended several national and international conferences. He is an editor and reviewer of professional journals.

Deepak Mishra is a professor of biotechnology in the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, AKS University, Satna. With a career spanning over 17 years, he qualified for GATE in 2011 and completed his Ph.D. in Biotech in 2014. His teaching and research interest are in the field of plant biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and mushroom technology. He has authored 45 research papers in prestigious national as well as international journals and 30 book chapters. He is also actively involved in collaborative research initiatives. Six students have been awarded a doctorate in the field of biotechnology under his guidance, and 8 students are doing Ph.D. on various aspects of biotechnology under his supervision. He has attended several international and national conferences and seminars as an invited speaker.

Ayodhya Prasad Pandey is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna. He has more than 12 years of experience in teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students and conducting research. Mr. Pandey has written over 50 book chapters and more than 25 research papers published in well-known national and international journals. He has also written two books in the field of genetics and plant breeding. He has taken part in several national and international workshops, conferences, and faculty development programs. He has guided more than 10 postgraduate students in their research work and has successfully led several research projects. He is also a member of various professional societies.

Rajbeer Singh Gaur is an Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University in Satna. With more than 14 years of experience, he has taught both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Mr. Gaur has written over 40 book chapters and published more than 20 research papers in reputed national and international journals. He has also written two books on genetics and plant breeding. He has attended national and international conferences, workshops, and training programs. He has mentored more than 11 postgraduate students with their research.