The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy

The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy provides an understanding of the role of microbes in a circular economy (CE). The book covers the development of effective bio-based formulations for field applications and describes the basic principles and applications, the important role of microorganisms, and new insights into a sustainable ecosystem for the circular economy. In addition, it compiles the latest advancement in the field of CE by covering microbes and microbial products, thus providing microbiologists the tools to engage with the public, policymakers, and industry to inform the debate on addressing current challenges.

• Provides a thorough understanding on the role of microbes in the circular economy that can help to develop effective bio-based formulations for field applications
• Describes the basic principles and applications of the Circular Economy
• Gives insights on the important role of microorganisms explored in the circular economy, which in turn provides new insights into the sustainable ecosystem

Dr. Radhakrishnan E.K is currently working as Professor at School of Biosciences of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. He has published 202 research publications, 78 book chapters and 3 review papers and edited 28 books. He has been listed among the top 2% scientists of the world in a list prepared by Stanford University and Elsevier BV, based on career-long data and single-year impact in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Dr. Aswani R is a postdoctoral fellow at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Cochin. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Mahatma Gandhi University and was awarded the Chief Minister’s NavaKerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship to conduct research at Kerala Agricultural University. Her interdisciplinary research spans biocontrol mechanisms, plant defense induction by plant-associated microorganisms, biopolymer extraction from phytomicrobiomes, nanoparticle synthesis for antimicrobial applications, and fish disease management. She has authored numerous publications, review articles, and book chapters, and is a co-editor of books including “Biocontrol mechanisms of endophytic microorganisms” and “The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy” published by Elsevier.

Ajay Kumar is currently an Assistant Professor at the Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India. He previously served as a Visiting Scientist at the Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Israel (2018–2022), and completed his doctoral research at the Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, focusing on plant–microbe interactions. Dr. Kumar’s research expertise spans plant–microbe interactions, microbial biocontrol, postharvest fruit disease management, microbial endophytes of medicinal plants, and cyanobacteria–pesticide interactions. He is a prolific author in leading international journals and is also actively engaged in academic editing with major publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, CRC Press, and Wiley. Dr. Kumar currently serves as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology and BMC Microbiology, a Guest Editor for Microorganisms and Plants (MDPI), and a Series Editor for Plant and Soil Microbiome (Elsevier).