The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy

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).

• 1. Introduction to circular economy-A unique approach2. Framework for implementation of circular economy in biotechnology3. Methods involved in the recycling and valorization of nutrients from waste biomass4. Precision biotechnology using beneficial microbes as a fundamental approach to the circular economy5. Development of microbial biotechnology products for phytopathogen management6. Role of bacteria Microbial and fungi in circular agriculture economy7. Agriculturally important functioning of beneficial microorganisms for healthy ecosystem maintenance8. Biofertilizer and its application in sustainable bioeconomy9. Tailored microbial inoculants in nutrient recycling and soil health maintenance10. Development of microbial biotechnology products for sustainable agriculture11. Microbial surfactant role in environment management and contribution in circular economy12. Micropropagation for Crop Improvement and its commercialization potential