Biographical encyclopedia article on Russian-born American microbiologist Selman Waksman who pioneered antibiotic research and discovered streptomycin, the first effective treatment for tuberculosis (1952 Nobel Prize). Covers life journey from Russia to USA, soil microbiology focus, discovery of 18 antibiotics, establishment of Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers, and lasting impact on modern medicine.
Detailed laboratory procedures for Azospirillum isolation from rhizosphere soil using Okons Nfb semi-solid medium, purification techniques, and comprehensive morphological characterization including Gram reaction, capsule staining, microcyst formation, shape analysis, colony characteristics, and pleomorphism variations observed in different culture conditions.
Comprehensive laboratory protocols for evaluating biofertilizer efficiency including nitrogenase activity measurement via acetylene reduction method, phosphate solubilizing bacteria screening using Pikovskaya’s medium, phosphorus-dissolving capacity quantification through colorimetry, microbial viability testing (CFU/mL), and multifunctional bacteria evaluation (ACC deaminase, siderophore, IAA secretion)
Comprehensive coverage of microbial biotechnology scope across red/green/white/yellow biotechnology, applications in healthcare (antibiotics, vaccines), food (fermentation), industry (enzymes), agriculture (biofertilizers: Rhizobium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter), environmental management (bioremediation), single-cell protein (SCP) production from bacteria/yeast/fungi/algae, and fermentation processes for ethanol and penicillin production including downstream processing.
Complete guide covering cyanobacteria characteristics (oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes), isolation methods from freshwater/soil using BG-11 medium, morphological identification, maintenance protocols, mass cultivation techniques (trough method, pit method, field-scale 40m², nursery-cum-algal production), harvesting procedures (10-30 kg/40m²), and field application recommendations (10-15 kg/ha) for biofertilizer production.