CONTENTS:- Preface. 1. Biological treatment of waste water. 2. Bioremediation. 3. Metal biotechnology. 4. Biofuels. 5. Hazardous waste management.
DESCRIPTION
Biotechnology as an art has been practised for a long time in traditional activities such as fermentation and brewing. It has now emerged as a separate discipline, pointing to future revolutionary developments for the good of mankind. Spectacular advances that have taken place in the field of biotechnology in the last two decades have a profound impact on the socio-cultural scene, life-style, health care system, availability of food, employment opportunities, energy and clean environment. The promise of biotechnology offers hope to the most destitute people on the earth. Through its miracle we can conceive of winning the eternal struggle against hunger and disease. Biotechnology stands on the understanding of molecular basis of biological cell functions and the ability of mankind to alter cell functions to make it produce products required by society. New techniques available with biotechnology holds potentials for developing products and processes in various sectors of agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, healthcare, energy generation and environmental protection. Virtually all types of human activity generate wastes and this places a heavy burden on the environment. So far we have relied more upon the physical and chemical methods of pollution control. However, micro-organisms are likely to prove as more suitable tools for pollution control due to their versatility and adaptability. In the field of environmental management biotechnology have helped in environmental monitoring, degradation of wastes, substitution of non-renewable resource base with a renewable resource base, and production of eco-friendly products and processes.
