Ecology of Saprotrophic Basidiomycetes

Ecology of Saprotrophic Basidiomycetes
Author: Lynne Boddy
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 387
Release: 2007-12-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080551505

The breadth and depth of understanding of many areas concerning basidiomycetes has increased dramatically since the premier publication of Frankland et al., Decomposer Basidiomycetes: their Biology and Ecology. New vistas have opened up with the advent of powerful computing, modeling and molecular approaches helping to greatly increase the general understanding of the ecology of basidiomycetes. This is tantamount to understanding the role of fungi in natural ecosystems because they are major agents of decomposition and nutrient cycling. These remarkable advances have been incorporated into this volume that discusses all aspects of saprotrophic basidiomycete ecology.

Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials

Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials
Author: Tor P. Schultz
Publisher: ACS Symposium
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780841230040

Wood and other structural lignocellulose biomaterials are renewable resources that provide sustainable products that require considerably less energy to manufacture into useable products than other alternatives produced from nonrenewable resources. However, these materials are readily biodegradable and as such must be protected if they are to be used in adverse environments. Consequently, their protection through chemical and nonchemical means plays a vital role in the satisfactory utilization of many products. This publication represents the third ACS book by the three co-editors in a series addressing scientific and practical aspects of biodeterioration and protection of lignocellulose materials. The objective of this third book diverges to some extent from the prior texts, in that it provides an overall view of our current understanding of the microbial and thermal degradation of plant biomass along with new developments in the rapidly changing field of wood protection. The latter is particularly important in light of dramatic changes in copper-based wood preservative systems that are used extensively to treat wood for residential construction, and in the commercial development of lignocellulose modification processes that protect bio-based materials without the addition of biocides. These changes, along with an update on new organic wood preservative systems, factors influencing wood biodeterioration above ground and in soil contact, wood treatment processes, registration and approval processes, applications of molecular biology in wood protection research, and the conversion of biomass into high value carbon products and worldwide trends in wood protection, are covered in this latest ACS book. The individual chapters were authored by a world-class group of academic and industrial scientists in order to provide a state-of-the-art review and global perspective of this rapidly changing field and reviewed by internationally recognized scientist

Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees

Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees
Author: Francis W.M.R. Schwarze
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 195
Release: 2013-04-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642573029

Wood-destroying fungi play an important role in nature, because they are the only forms of life capable of reducing wood to its initial constituents. However, they can also be dangerous for people and property, as they can impair the stability and fracture-safety of trees. This book gives detailed information, based on new and original scientfic findings, on the examination and effects of the most important species of fungi associated with failure of infected urban trees. In addition, new ways are presented for predicting the advance of decay in the living tree. The subject is illustrated and made easily accessible by numerous colored photos of fungus fruit bodies, defect symptoms, and macroscopic and microscopic pictures of wood decay. A detailed introduction to the fundamentals of wood pathology provides a way into the subjects of applied mycology and tree care for readers without previous special knowledge. Francis W.M.R. Schwarze, National Diploma of Arboriculture at Merrist Wood College, UK (1991), Master of Science in Pure, Applied Plant and Fungal Taxonomy, University of Reading, UK (1992), doctorate at Freiburg University (1995), since 1996 assistant at the Institute for Forest Botany and Tree Physiology at Freiburg University, concentrating on research into wood-destroying fungi and host-fungus interactions. Julia Engels, Diploma Forester at Freiburg University (1995), doctorate on root fungi at Freiburg University (1998). Since 1998 active in tree care and mycology in Luxembourg. Claus Mattheck, born 1947, doctorate in theoretical physics (1973), qualified as lecturer on damage studies at Karlsruhe University (1985), and now teaches there as Professor. Since 1991 he has been an officially appointed and attested expert on tree mechanics and fracture behaviour. Has been awarded numerous prizes for research and publication. Head of the Biomechanics Department at the Karlsruhe Research Centre.

Advances in Microbial Ecology

Advances in Microbial Ecology
Author: K. Marshall
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 314
Release: 2013-11-11
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 146159412X

Advances in Microbial Ecology was established by the International Com mittee on Microbial Ecology (ICOME) as a vehicle for the publication of critical reviews selected to reflect current trends in the ever-expanding field of microbial ecology. Most of the chapters found in Advances in Microbial Ecology have been solicited by the Editorial Board. Individuals are encouraged, however, to submit outlines of unsolicited contributions to any member of the Editorial Board for consideration for inclusion in a subsequent volume of Advances. Contributions are expected to be in depth, even provocative, reviews of topical interest relating to the ecology of microorganisms. With the publication of Volume 8 of Advances we welcome to the panel of contributors Martin Alexander, the founding editor of this series, who discusses the range of natural constraints on nitrogen fixation in agri cultural ecosystems. Ecological aspects of cellulose degradation are dis cussed by L. G. Ljungdahl and K. -E. Eriksson, and of heavy metal responses in microorganisms by T. Duxbury. In his chapter, A. Lee con siders the gastrointestinal tract as an ecological system, and comments on the possibility of manipulating this system. The complex interactions among aerobic and anaerobic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are discussed in terms of natural habitats and chemostat culture by J. G. Kuenen, L. Rob ertson, and H. van Gemerden. Finally, J. A. Robinson presents the advantages and limitations in the use of nonlinear regression analysis in determining microbial kinetic parameters in ecological situations. K. C. Marshall, Editor R. M. Atlas B. B.

Mycotoxins, Wood Decay, Plant Stress, Biocorrosion, and General Biodeterioration

Mycotoxins, Wood Decay, Plant Stress, Biocorrosion, and General Biodeterioration
Author: Gerald C. Llewellyn
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 666
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1475794509

This volume, unlike the three preceding it, represents the collected papers from an experiment with an "electronic symposium". Co-participators in this symposium included The George Washington University, The Smithsonian Institution, Clark Atlanta University, the Agriculture Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, The University of Georgia, Morris Brown College, Spellman College, Morehouse College, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, The United States Food and Drug Administration, and the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture among others. This unusual "electronic symposium" concept was developed by members of the Program, Planning and Organizing Committee as an alternative to the more costly convention-type symposium. As before, leading scientists in specific topic areas were invited to participate. Topic Session chairpersons were encouraged to arrange their own method of communication by telephone, electronic mail, or conference call, and report their findings back to the symposium center at The George Washington University. Additional papers were accepted from individuals and laboratories who are actively involved in relevant areas of research and study. Participation was also arranged for internationally established scientists. International authors are represented herein from Nigeria, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Argentina. Our goal was to present a research composite volume that reflected current developments, informed reviews, new and recently developing areas of the present state of knowledge as it relates to these proceeding topics. All of the reports included in this volume have undergone scientific, technical and editorial peer review.

Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Wood and Wood Components

Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Wood and Wood Components
Author: Karl-Erik L. Eriksson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 414
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3642466877

The oil crisis during the 1970s turned interest towards the utilization of renewable resources and towards lignocellulosics in particular. The 1970s were also the cradle period of biotechnology, and the years when biotechnical utilization of lignocellulosic waste from agriculture and forestry gained priori ty. This was a logical conclusion since one of nature's most important biologi cal reactions is the conversion of wood and other lignocellulosic materials to carbon dioxide, water and humic substances. However, while biotechnology in other areas like medicine and pharmacology concerned production of expen sive products on a small scale, biotechnical utilization and conversion of ligno cellulosics meant production of inexpensive products on a large scale. Biotechnical utilization of lignocellulosic materials is therefore a very difficult task, and the commercial utilization of this technology has not progressed as rapidly as one would have desired. One reason for this was the lack of basic knowledge of enzyme mechanisms involved in the degradation and conversion of wood, other lignocellulosics and their individual components. There are also risks associated with initiating a technical development before a stable platform of knowledge is available. Several of the projects started with en thusiasm have therefore suffered some loss of interest. Also contributing to this failing interest is the fact that the oil crisis at the time was not a real one. At present, nobody predicts a rapid exhaustion of the oil resources and fuel production from lignocellulosics is no longer a high priority.

Fungal Metabolites

Fungal Metabolites
Author: Jean-Michel Mérillon
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017-02-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9783319250007

This handbook compiles authoritative information about fungal metabolites and their chemistry and biotechnology. The first in the reference work series “Phytochemicals”, and written by a team of international expert authors, this book provides reference information ranging from the description of fungal natural products, over their use e.g. as anticancer agents, to microbial synthesis, even spanning to the production of secondary metabolites on industrial scale. On the other hand it also describes global health issues related to aflatoxin production in foods and agriculture, including perspectives for detoxification. The handbook characterizes different compound classes derived from fungal secondary metabolites, like ergot alkaloids and aflatoxins. The discussion puts a special emphasis on how potentially useful compounds can be obtained and what applications they can find, on the one hand, and how potential dangers can be encountered on the other hand. The comprehensive chapters in this handbook will thus appeal to readers from diverse backgrounds in chemistry, biology, life sciences, and even medicine, who are working or planning to work with fungal (secondary) metabolites and their application. They provide the readers with rich sources of reference information on important topics in this field.