Natural Pharmaceuticals and Green Microbial Technology

Book excerpt: This volume presents some of the latest research and applications in using natural substances and processes for pharmaceutical products. It presents an in-depth examination of the chemical and biological properties of selected natural products that are either currently used or have the potential for useful applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. It covers emerging technologies and case studies and is a source of up-to-date information on the topical subject of natural products and microbial technology. It provides an applied overview of the field, from traditional medicinal targets to cutting-edge molecular techniques. Natural products have always been of key importance to drug discovery, but as modern techniques and technologies have allowed researchers to identify, isolate, extract, and synthesize their active compounds in new ways, they are once again coming to the forefront of drug discovery.