The production of beer and wine was one of the earliest forms of biotechnology, beginning some 6000 years ago. Biotechnology is the harnessing of micro-organisms, or plant microbial cells, to produce materials of direct use to man or of benefit to the environment. Development of recent DNA technology has invited a more recent interest in biotechnology. Highly sophisticated techniques are required to take full advantage of these developments. This has restricted its predominance to developed countries. However, biotechnology has much to offer to the agrarian and artesian economies of poorer countries. Alcohol and methane are both fuel products of biotechnology. Another example is the conversion of waste material from farms, domestic refuse, and sewage into energy. In many poor communities, just a small improvement in energy efficiency, utilization, or generation may have far-reaching effects in improving the life of the people. Within this volume are examples and aspects of biotechnology, both of the traditional and of the emerging type. They all have roles to play in the economies of developing countries, whether at a national level or on a smaller scale. Biotechnologists, microbiologists, production and public health engineers, especially those in or with an interest in the developing world. Development agencies, government agencies, agricultural support agencies. Agriculture, biological science and engineering science libraries, individuals and students.

Table of Contents:
B.L. Dreyfus, H.G. Diem, J. Freire, S.O. Keya & Y.R. Dommergues: Nitrogen fixation in tropical agriculture and forestry; A.S. El Nawawy: Arid land biotechnology; C.W. Lewis: Biotechnological practices in integrated rural development; H.D. Burges & J.S. Pillai: Microbial bioinsecticides; R.R. Colwell: Marine biotechnology and the developing countries; K.H. Steinkraus: Fermented foods: tradition and current practice; W. Kurylowicz, W. Kurzatkowski, & J. Solecka: Improvement of industrially important Streptomycetes by protoplast fusion and regeneration; D.N. Li: Biogas production in China: an overview; H.W. Doelle, E.J. Olguin & P. Praertsan: Fermentation technology and its impact on culture and society; F. Sineriz: Alcohol production: anaerobic treatment of process waste water and social considerations; J.C. Senez: Single-cell protein: past and present developments; H.W. Pearson: Algae associated with sewage treatment; K.J. Seal & L.H.G. Morton: Biodeterioration biotechnology; E.J. DaSilva & H. Taguchi: An international network exercise: the MIRCEN programme; J. Lamptey & M. Moo-Young: Biotechnology: principles and options for developing countries; M.I. Krichevsky & C.A. Walczak: Establishing a meaningful relationship with your computer; E-L. Foo and C.G. Heden: Bioinformatics and the development of biotechnology; S. Knuth & H.G. Gyllenberg: Patent developments in microbial technology and genetic engineering.