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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » WHGQ » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #310169
Title: Microbial Phenazines: Biosynthesis, Agriculture and Health

Author
item Thomashow, Linda
item CHINCHOLKAR, S. - Maharashtra Agricultural University

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2014
Publication Date: 9/20/2014
Citation: Thomashow, L.S., Chincholkar, S. (Eds). 2014. Microbial Phenazines: Biosynthesis, Agriculture and Health. Heidelberg: Springer. Complete Book. 248 p.

Interpretive Summary: Phenazines are complex colored compounds produced by some bacteria, including certain strains that control soilborne plant pathogens. More than 6,000 differently modified phenazines with a wide-range of biological activities are now known, but the hundred or so produced by bacteria currently are the most studied because of their importance in interactions not only with other microorganisms, but also with plants, animals, and humans. In this work the editors have attempted to bring together several major aspects of phenazine research with the hope that these chapters will lead to further advances in knowledge of the biological origins and activities of these fascinating and versatile molecules as well as their future employment in applications ranging from agriculture to human health.

Technical Abstract: Phenazines, a large class of nitrogen-containing redox-active heterocyclomers of biological and chemical origin, have attracted scientific interest since historical times because of their colorful pigmentation. More than 6,000 phenazine derivatives with wide-ranging bioactivities are now known, of which the hundred or so produced by bacteria currently are the most studied because of their importance in interactions not only with other microorganisms, but also with plants and animals. In this work we have attempted to bring together several major aspects of phenazine research with the hope that these chapters will lead to further advances in our knowledge of the biological origins and activities of these fascinating and versatile molecules as well as their future employment in applications ranging from agriculture to human health.