Waleed Abdulkhair

By Waleed M. Abdulkhair and Mousa A. Alghuthaymi

Actinobacteria produce diverse and huge amounts of enzymes that are widely used in different industrial purposes. Specific properties of enzymes allow to run the reactions under milder conditions with improved yield and reduced wastes. Further redesign for natural enzymes is very essential because they are often not suitable for biocatalytic processes. Recently, new microbial natural and creating enzymes are discovered synchronous with the late advanced technologies of genomics, metagenomics, proteomics, efficient expression systems and emerging recombinant DNA. The ongoing development of enzyme biotechnology aids in the improvement of the industrial biocatalysis field. Thermophilic actinobacteria produce thermostable enzymes that are widely used in industrial processes. In contrast, psychrophilic actinobacteria grow well at low temperatures and subsequently their enzymes are more effective at low temperatures. The advanced DNA sequencing technique allows determining and identifying the sequences and functions of all the genes that synthesize proteins that are widely use in the industry. Recombinant strains can be obtained by using certain biotechnological tools to potentially increase enzymes production on a large scale. The ongoing development in this field will lead to the improvement of different industrial purposes such as food, chemicals, textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals, and so on.

Part of the book: Actinobacteria

By Waleed M. Abdulkhair and Mousa A. Alghuthaymi

Plants cover the most area of the earth’s living environment as trees, grasses, flowers, and so on. Plants play different important roles in the environment such as ecosystem balance and food supplement for animals and humans. Moreover, wild or cultivated plants are considered the powerful biofertilizers for the soil, where the plant debris after death and degradation provides the soil with sufficient organic matters. Accordingly, plant care is a great duty and hard mission, which must be constantly improved. The study of plant pathogens belongs to the branch of biology known as plant pathology. The latter is also concerned to overcome the plant diseases arising from the biotic and/or abiotic origin. Biotic (infectious) diseases are developed owing to microbial infection, while abiotic (noninfectious) diseases are developed due to environmental factors. In this chapter, we are concerned with plant pathogens or phytopathogenic microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, mollicutes, and so on.

Part of the book: Plant Growth

By Waleed Mohamed Abdulkhair and Mousa Abdullah Alghuthaymi

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disease in Caucasians that increases the mortality rate. This disease retards the passage of water and salt through the cells and therefore affects the vital functions of different organs. Pulmonary cystic fibrosis is the most common and responsible for the majority of symptoms, burden of care, and mortality. The gene that causes the disease has now been identified and sequenced. The lung diseases with CF are usually have three pathological elements; mucus obstruction, inflammation, and infection. In the last century, the relationship between CF, respiratory microbiology, and inflammation has been understood with increased longevity and development of new treatments and laboratory techniques. In this chapter, we will illustrate causes of CF lung diseases and modern therapeutic strategies.

Part of the book: Cystic Fibrosis

By Waleed Mohamed Hussain Abdulkhair

The potato crop is exposed to infection with many fungal diseases including late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans. The control of late blight disease requires an integrated management approach represented in cultivation control, plant resistance, and fungicide control. The citrus plants are infected by Phytophthora nicotianae that is causing root rot disease in Egypt. Three species of Phytophthora responsible for infection of citrus plants; P. nicotianae, P. citrophthora, and P. palmivora. Other pathogens associate P. nicotianae and form complexes or coinfection that release different diseases for citrus plants such as gummosis, Phytophthora–Diaprepes complex (PDC), and Huanglongbing syndrome (HLBS).

Part of the book: Agro-Economic Risks of Phytophthora and an Effective Biocontrol Approach