Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology

Paper Code: 
25ENV321
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
4.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  1. Impart knowledge about microbial diversity in various environments
  2. Understand the role of microorganisms in degradation of xenobiotics, mineral recovery, waste management, and biotechnology

 

Course Outcomes: 

Upon completion of this

course, the student will:

CO68: Appraise the diversity of microorganisms and learn about the abundance distribution and significance of microorganisms            in the environment

CO69: Analyze the microbial communities in the air, analyze the aero-microbiological pathways and evaluate the mechanisms for controlling bioaerosols

CO70: Assess the factors influencing the degradation of xenobiotics and compare aerobic and anaerobic microbial degradation pathways for effective environmental remediation.

CO71: Evaluate molecular tools of genetic engineering and appraise methods of gene transfer, emphasizing their applications in environmental biotechnology.

CO72: Illustrate the role of microbes in nutrient transformation mineral resource mining, waste management and biotechnology

CO73: Contribute effectively to course-specific interaction

10.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Environmental Microbiology

 

  • Phases of bacterial growth (Lag phase, Exponential phase and Stationary and Death phase)
  • Types of microorganisms based on Nutrition
  • Factors affecting the growth of microorganisms
  • Types of microorganisms based on osmotic concentration, pH, temperature oxygen concentration and pressure.

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Microbial Diversity of Air

 

  • Nature of Bioaerosols
  • Physical/Microbial habitats in air
  • Extramural and Intramural Aeromicrobiology
  • Factors affecting microbial survival in air
  • Aero-microbiological Pathway
    • Launching of bioaerosols
    • Transport and Dispersion
    • Deposition
  • Mechanisms to control Bioaerosols
    • Ventilation
    • Filtration
    • Biocidal Control and Isolation

 

14.00
Unit III: 
Microbial Degradation of Xenobiotic Compounds

 

  • Factors affecting the degradation of xenobiotics
  • Aerobic degradation of xenobiotics
    • Degradation of Aliphatic compounds
    • Degradation of Aromatic compounds
  • Anaerobic degradation of xenobiotics
    • Degradation of Aliphatic compounds
    • Degradation of Aromatic compounds
  • Microbial degradation of Halogenated Compounds

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Environmental Biotechnology

·         Concept of Recombinant technology

·         Molecular tools of genetic engineering

·         Vectors-Plasmids (pBR322), Bacteriophages {lambda (λ} Cosmids, BAC and YAC

·         Methods of gene transfer – Conjugation, Transformation, Transduction.

  • Basic Concept of Metagenomics

12.00
Unit V: 
Applications of Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology

UNIT V:      (12 hours)

  • Bioremediation-In-situ and Ex-situ
  • Phytoremediation
  • Bioleaching (methods and microorganisms used
  • Integrated Pest Management (Concept of IPM, Physical, Cultural, Biological and Chemical methods of pest management).
  • Biosensors-Types and application

 

Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Maier, R.M., I. L. (2009). Environmental Microbiology (2nd ed.). USA: Academic Press (Elsevier).
  • Michael J. Pelczar, E. C. (1993). Microbiology (5th ed.). New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited.
  • Mohapatra, P. K. (2008). Textbook of Environmental Environmental Microbiology. New Delhi: I. K. International Publishing House.
  • Mohapatra, P. K. (2010). Textbook of Environmental Biotechnology. New Delhi: I.K. International Pvt. Ltd.

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Atlas, R.M., R. B. (2005). Microbial Ecology: Fundamental and Applications (4th ed.).

New Delhi: Pearson Education Pvt. Ltd.

  • Barton, L., D. E. (2011). Microbial Ecology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Publication.
  • Evans, G. M., & Furlong, J. C. (2003). Environmental Biotechnology: Theory and Application. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
  • Thakur, I. S. (2011). Environmental Biotechnology: Basic Concepts and Applications.

New Delhi: I.K. International Pvt. Ltd.

  • Wainwright, M. (1999). An Introduction To Environmental Biotechnology. New York: Springer Science+Business Media, Llc.

 

References: 
  1. RESOURCES

JOURNALS:

  • Environmental Microbiology Reports
  • Letters in Applied Microbiology
  • Journal of Applied Microbiology
  • Microbial Biotechnology
  • Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences
  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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