Biochemistry of Microbial Degradation

by Colin Ratledge (Editor)

Overview

This book brings together a number of comprehensive accounts of the mechanisms whereby microorganisms are able to degrade a wide variety of compounds. These compounds range from petroleum-derived materials, which continue to predominate in questions of environmental contamination and pollution, to the degradation of the major natural materials that microorganisms may encounter in all types of habitat. Both aerobic and anaerobic modes of attack are covered. The emphasis in all the chapters is upon the underlying biochemical pathways that microorganisms use: differences between bacteria, yeasts and moulds are highlighted whenever opportune and uses of microbial consortia for attack on the most recalcitrant molecules is also well documented. Activity of microorganisms in the soil, groundwater and marine environments are all dealt with here. The book will be of value and interest to all whose work brings them into direct or even indirect contact with the results of microbial degradations. The consequences of microbial degradations may be beneficial as well as deletrious: an advantage with some compounds, a decided disadvantage with others. The basis by which microorganisms achieve these attacks then provides the vital knowledge that will accelerate the former and, hopefully, retard the latter. For the first time the pathways of microbial degradations of all major classes of compounds are covered in a single volume. The diversity of microbial activities are clearly described and current advances in the applications of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, enzyme chemistry and engineering feature in almost every chapter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780792322733
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	12/31/1993
Pages:	584
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.31(d)

Table of Contents

Preface. 1. Biodegradation of components of petroleum; P. Morgan, R.J. Watkinson. 2. Microbial metabolism and transformation of selected monoterpenes; P.W. Trudgill. 3. Formation and function of biosurfactants for degradation of water-insoluble substrates; R.K. Hommel. 4. Biodegradation of oils, fats and fatty acids; C. Ratledge. 5. Biodegradation of anionic surfactants and related molecules; G.F. White, N.J. Russell. 6. Biochemistry and physiology of the degradation of nitrilotriacetic acid and other metal complexing agents; T. Egli. 7. Enzymes and mechanisms involved in microbial cellulysis; T.M. Wood, V. Garcia-Campayo. 8. Biodegradation of lignin and hemicelluloses; T.W. Jeffries. 9. Physiology of microbial degradation of chitin and chitosan; G.W. Gooday. 10. Biodegradation of starch and alpha-glycan polymers; M.V. Ramesh, B.C. Saha, S.P. Mathupala, S. Podkovyrov, J.G. Zeikus. 11. The physiology of aromatic hydrocabon degrading bacteria; M.R. Smith. 12. Microbial dehalogenation of haloaliphatic compounds; J.H. Slater. 12. Biodegradation of halogenated aromatic compounds; L.C.M. Commandeur, J.R. Parsons. 14. Bacterial degradation of N-heterocyclic compounds; G. Schwarz, F. Lingens. 15. Biodegradation of inorganic nitrogen compounds; J.A. Cole. 16. Biochemistry of anaerobic biodegradation of aromatic compounds; G. Fuchs, M. El Said Mohamed, U. Altenschmidt, J. Koch, A. Lack, R. Brackmann, C. Lochmeyer, B. Oswald. 17. Biocorrosion: the action of sulphate-reducing bacteria; W.A. Hamilton. Index of compounds. Index of organisms.