Biology and Biotechnology of Patagonian Microorganisms

LIBKIND D.; OLIVERA N.; DONATI E.R.

SPRINGER

Año: 2016 p. 400

978-3-642-54776-8

Patagonia is a vast and heterogeneous territory that extends along the southernmost part of the Americas (approximately from 40°S to 56°S). This region occupies part of Chilean and Argentinean territories. Argentinean Patagonia, in which this book is focused, extends east of the Andes and south of the Colorado River (having an area of 790,000 km2), including the provinces of Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, Chubut, Río Negro and Neuquén, as well as a single county of Buenos Aires province. This region includes large extensions of arid plains, forest, mountains and glaciers, fertile valleys, and wide sea shores. These offer a great diversity of selective environments scarcely explored which are suitable for the bioprospection of biotechnological-relevant microorganisms. The aim of Biology and Biotechnology of Patagonian Microorganisms is to provide readers from the academic and biotechnological environment with a concise and clearly illustrated treatment of outstanding topics of Patagonian microbiology and biotechnology. The investigations included in this book represent interesting examples of how the microbial world is a highly significant source of valuable technology that can modify and boost regional economy and progress. The book is subdivided into three parts, preceded by a geo-historical introduction to Patagonia. The first part introduces the reader to the field of environmental microbiology, including insights into microbial communities from hydrocarbon and heavy metal polluted sites and degraded lands resulting from natural events and human economic activities. The second part gives an overview of the biotechnological potential of Patagonian microorganisms. Bioprospection of antimicrobials, enzymes and other bioactive compounds produced by extremophilic microorganisms is discussed. Important aspects of Patagonian microorganism application in biomining, wine production and aquaculture are also addressed. Moreover, included is a discussion on antibiotic resistant isolates. The third part of this book deals with Patagonian yeast biotechnology, particularly their application in industrial fermentations (e.g. wine industry) and food biopreservation.The editors would like to thank all of the authors for their willingness to participate in this book and for their excellent contributions.