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This volume explores vegetables and plant metabolites as nutraceuticals that provide nutritional importance in the prevention and/or treatment of human diseases and for maintaining the body's energy balance.Key features: Considers applications and implications of plant metabolites and vegetables as nutraceuticals in healthcare Discusses the mechanisms of plant metabolites and vegetables to support the prevention and treatment of cancer, gout, heart disease, liver disease, Parkinson's and other brain diseases, and gastrointestinal disease Explores the role of phytochemicals bioactive compounds as nutraceuticals in healthcare Looks at the relationship between eating fruits and vegetables and the incidence of serious and chronic diseases With contributions from renowned scientists and researchers around the globe, the volume provides up-to-date information that offers insights on the value of plant metabolites and vegetables as nutraceuticals that will be of interest to academicians, scientists, researchers, and industry professionals worldwide.

Traditional sourdough bread refers to spontaneous fermentation of cereals by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, leading to natural selections of microorganisms. The metabolic activity of these microorganisms promotes the formation of organic acids, flavor development and leavening in food matrices, which most know as sourdough bread. This bread is still widely manufactured at farm level across Europe and worldwide, being highly appreciated by consumers for its distinct flavor, texture, healthy attributes and natural origin. Sourdough bread is expected to grow 6.9% annually through 2023. Once stagnant, the bread market has experienced a revival specifically through sourdough bread consumption. Consumers have been avoiding bread in the recent years due to the presence of extra ingredients such as chemical dough conditioners, preservatives and added sugar. However, the increasing popularity of fermented foods and their multiple health benefits are prompting the growthof sourdough market. This fast-growing market has been demanding a dynamic response from industries producing starter cultures to accelerate sourdough fermented bread production in increasing quantities while keeping its “made-for-you” characteristics. By bringing together top sourdough experts in Europe and beyond, this book compiles the latest knowledge in all areas of sourdough starter culture and advantages in using sourdough fermentation. Sourdough Microbiota and Starter Cultures for Industry supplies a biosciences'audience with a hands on view of the latest advances from sourdough microbiota characterization to starter culture potentials targeting industrial application, including specific techno-functional and safety improvements obtained by clean-labeling strategies. Insights on health and improved quality shed light on new shifting consumer preferences and why choosing sourdough fermentation is a great expansion opportunity in one's portfolio as thescience behind sourdough starter cultures meets improved nutrition-impact opportunities. This text teaches methods to exploit sourdough technology through the entire value chain from sourdough natural microflora through the development of novel starter cultures for producing fermented food, introducing the advantages that sourdough fermentation offers for improving the sensorial, technological and nutritional properties of breads.

Sprouted Grains: Nutritional Value, Production and Applications, Second Edition includes new chapters on sprouted grains as new plant-based protein sources, Fatty Acids Content and Profiling in Sprouted Grains, Amylase Activity in Sprouted Grains, and The Role of Sprouted Grains in Human Gut Health. As sprouted grains are one of the hottest topics in cereal and grain science, this comprehensive reference presents essential reading, from grain germination from both a genetic and physiological perspective, the nutrients and bioactive compounds present in spouted grains, equipment and technical innovations for processors and manufacturers of sprouted grains and subsequent products, and more. - Fully revised and updated, including four new chapters - Presents the latest insights into the nutrient and bioactive components of these healthy grains - Includes coverage of the technology and equipment used in grain processing - Covers the growing list of products developed from sprouted grains - Features insights from an internal team of academic and industrial experts

Handbook of Plant-Based Food and Drinks Design discusses conventional and emerging technologies for plant-based ingredient improvement (yield, nutritional composition and functional properties) while considering food safety, sustainability, and social impact to explore current and potential markets through research and innovation. Divided in 7 sections, the book covers Plant sources for functional ingredients, Processing plant-based sources, Plant-based food design to replace/mimic animal food, Innovation in plant-based food, The promise of parity, Safety and regulations of plant-based foods, Social, environmental, and economic impact, and more. Written by a team of experts in the field, this book can be a good support for researchers and scientists working with plant-based food, drinks, and market trends. - Brings a critical overview about the health-beneficial compounds of plant-based sources - Offers guidelines on how to formulate plant-based food or a food alternative - Discusses the transition towards more plant-based diets on nutrition, economy climate change, health, and sustainability

The aim of'Novel Approaches in Biopreservation for Food and Clinical Purposes'is to provide cutting-edge information on biopreservation methods for both food and medical applications. The book has one chapter dedicated to each major food category (milk and dairy, vegetables, meat, fish, bread, flours and beverages) and brief chapters covering preservation approaches for pharmaceuticals, embryos, gametes, cells and tissues. This book assumes a basic understanding of microbiology and food science, aiming to offer an overview of the most commonly and updated techniques currently used, including protective cultures and fermentation starters, bacterial metabolites, essential oils, bacteriophages or endolysins. By presenting this comprehensive overview, the book aims to advance knowledge in the field of biopreservation and foster its implementation in both food and clinical contexts.

When our food items become contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, these microorganisms secrete microbial toxins which promote infection by attacking the host tissue's immune system, thereby leading to foodborne intoxication, or poisoning, in consumers. Because these toxic microorganisms are not typically identifiable by taste, smell or sight, it is crucial to the safety of our food systems that they be detected through microbial testing. As the title suggests, Microbial Toxins: Causes, Mechanisms, Complications and Metabolism is a comprehensive overview of the life of these toxins from their pathogenesis through to their implications for human and environmental health. Including examples of salmonella, botulism, listeria and more, as well as various mycotoxins, this text will appeal to both microbiology researchers as well as food industry professionals. Beyond foodborne illness, this text also unpacks environmental toxicology and the role of microbial toxins in the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. Emerging techniques in the detection of microbial toxins will be discussed, setting this text apart from existing books on the subject. The use of proteomics in toxin identification, for example, allows for the determination of metabolic pathways and biomarkers of pathogenicity and resistance of biotoxins. This text furthers the study of foodborne hazards and has important implications for the improvement of safety in the food industry.

This is a great book to explore the science underlying the Food Biotechnology, which explores and presents current biotechnological advances and approaches to improving the nutritional value of modern-foods. Novel fermentation and enzyme technological processes, protein engineering, genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, bioengineering, quorum sensing and nanobiotechnology have been incorporated to fetch into new dimensions in current food biotechnology research and this book provides a deep insight on all these aspects as a comprehensive resource for anybody interested in all the types of foods, latest processing, preservation technology and safety. Written by leading scientists in the field, the book will be a valuable resource for students and researchers in the fields of food chemistry, nutritional science, taste physiology, and neuroscience, as well as for professionals in the food industry.

Finding natural substances is worthwhile in food preservation. The principal motivation behind this edited volume, Antimicrobials for Sustainable Food Storage, is to collect and present widespread knowledge in the domain of sustainable food ingredients with antimicrobial properties. The book consists of two sections. The first section of this volume is about food ingredients as antimicrobials, and the second section discusses the recent advances in the applications of food ingredients.Interplay of various environmental factors favors the growth of different microorganisms during the food preservation process. Growth of undesirable microorganisms negatively influences the taste, smell, color, and texture of food. Therefore, sustainable food preservation is a challenging issue. Though several chemicals have emerged, inevitable health effects are commonly encountered by food preserve chemicals.Microbial products (nisin, enterocin, pentosin, sakacin, and pediocin) have immense importance in prolonging the shelf life of food substances by controlling food spoilage and pathogenic microbes. Yeasts and cyanobacteria are also potential candidates in the supply of food ingredients with significant antimicrobial properties. However, limited awareness of antimicrobials as food ingredients and the unavailability of a single source of the latest insights on such food ingredients in one place led to the motivation to produce this work.Key Features: Provides insights on natural antimicrobials in food preservation Underlines the importance of sustainable food packaging Offers knowledge on emerging trends in antimicrobial-based food storage Diverse applications are covered in different chapters. This book covers various antimicrobials as food preservatives, such as metabolites, natural products, essential oils, nanomaterials, L-arginine, polyphenols, phaeophyceae, and horchata. There are also chapters that focus on the applicability and prospective studies of essential oils, edible biofilms, biodegradable antimicrobials, and nanostructured lipid carriers in the food sector and the method for encapsulation of antimicrobials.

Environmental Challenges in Attaining Food Security, Volume Nine in the Advances in Food Security and Sustainability series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapter on important topics such as Exacerbation of Food Insecurity in Africa: A Consequence of the Dual Threat of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine Crisis; Rising Environmental Issues: A hindrance to food security; Microplastics in Soil and Water: Unveiling Environmental Risks and Implications; Emerging Contaminants – Categorization, Effect and Treatment; The Potential Impact on Pesticides on Insect Pollinators and Their Ecological Implications, and much more.Additional chapters cover Change in geo-environmental conditions and crop productivity; Pesticide Concentration and Its Impacts: Food security Vs. Food safety; Heavy metals in soil and water: Sources, fate, toxicology and remediation; Salinity stress in Crop Plants: Effects and Eco-friendly management; Salinity Stress: Impact on Plant Growth; Micronutrient bioavailability in contaminated soil and mitigation strategies for toxicity; Decrease in Arable Land and Water; and Nano-enabled sensor modules for detection of agrochemicals in diverse soil, and water systems: Progression and future trends; Monoculture Of Crops. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Advances in Food Security and Sustainability series

In recent years, there has been a global surge in the production and application of vitamins and pigments in food and pharmaceuticals industries, leading to draw the attention of scientific communities to develop novel strategies to cope with world demand. Microbial vitamins and carotenoids in food biotechnology: Novel source and potential applications allow the audience to understand the current status of the biotechnological approaches used for the production of vitamins and carotenoids from microorganisms. The title provides important insights to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in microbial biosynthesis of vitamins and carotenoids. The chapters, all written by leading researchers from academia, help to put forward all the latest advancement concerning the production and applications of microbial vitamins and carotenoids. The book also provides the sustainable alternative to chemically synthesized compound and presents the wide coverage for the most promising sources of vitamins and carotenoids in food and pharmaceutical industries. This is a complete and unique resource beneficial for the scientific communities as well as food science and nutrition research students. - Thoroughly explores biotechnological approaches surrounding the production and application of microbial vitamins and carotenoids in food processing and manufacturing industries - Covers the major portion of novel source and various biotechnological approaches used for the production of various types of vitamins and carotenoids from microorganisms and their applications in food industry - Contains up-to-date information required for the formulations of new products or protocols for enhancing production of specific compounds

Pigmented Grains: Nutritional Properties, Bioactive Potential, and Food Application highlights the potential of pigmented grains crops in the human diet and their health benefits due to presences of the rich source of phytochemicals and pigments. Divided in 13 chapters, the book covers the breeding approaches and techniques for producing pigmented grains, the functionality and nutritional properties of wheat, rice, maize, barley, oats and rye, sorghum, millets, and pseudo cereals such as amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat. The book also covers processing of pigmented grains and effect on their functionality, besides utilization of pigmented grains and their by-products in a variety of products. A comprehensive reference written for teachers, scientists, researchers, students and all others who have interest in pigmented grains their potential nutritional value, utilization in food processing, value addition, and combating malnutrition and nutritional security. - Discusses nutrition, bioactive potential, and opportunities for use in food products - Presents processing techniques for extraction and enhancing product quality from pigmented grains - Covers breeding approaches and techniques for producing pigmented grains - Includes wheat, rice, maize, barley, oats and rye, sorghum, millets, amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat

Globally, significant work has been done to enhance our current understanding of the nutritional and anti-nutritional properties, processing, storage, bioactivity, and product development of wheat, opening new frontiers for further improvement. Wheat Science: Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Properties, Processing, Storage, Bioactivity, and Product Development addresses the topics associated with the advances in understanding the wheat biochemical, nutritional, and rheological quality. Improving crop varieties by either conventional breeding or transgenic methods to obtain nutritionally enhanced crops has the advantage of making a one-time investment in research and development to have sustainable products.Features: Includes topics associated with the nutritional composition and anti-nutritional properties Addresses the effects of different processing technologies on flour yield and end products Reviews the effects of storage on nutritional, baking and rheological quality, organoleptic quality, etc. Processing and storage technologies have impacted the nutritional quality and the bioavailability of nutrients in wheat. Due to its peculiar grain protein composition, especially gluten protein, wheat has extensive usage in making numerous end products, eaten round the clock. Researchers have demonstrated a significant effect of alteration of flour-processing technologies on the rheological quality of end products. This book provides a holistic understanding and covers recent developments of wheat science under one umbrella. Emphasis is placed on current trends and advances in nutritional and anti-nutritional properties, processing, storage, bioactivity, and product development. Additionally, efforts have been made to compile the available information on the application of different ingredients of wheat in the industry and pharma sectors.

There is an increased awareness on the relevance of nutraceutical and functional foods as alternatives to harmful synthetic additives used in industry. Different peppers, with an abundance of bioactive compounds, are highlighted in this book, which provides a comprehensive evaluaton of their importance as nutraceutical and functional foods to all stakeholders in the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries. Peppers: Biological, Health, and Postharvest Perspectives is a valuable addition to the existing information resource on peppers.Key features: Highlights the advancements made in biodiversity, biochemistry and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds of peppers. Reviews the effects of processing methods on the quality of peppers to facilitate further research and development of foods having pepper as an essential nutritional component. Provides help in selecting better processing methods for the management of nutritional attributes and health benefits of peppers. The book provides a blend of basic and advanced information for postgraduate students, researchers and scientists

Bioreactor Technology in Food Processing brings peculiarities, specificities, and updates on bioreactors and bioprocesses related to food and beverage production. The 26 chapters of this book are the result of the participation of more than 70 professionals, including professors, researchers, and experts from the industrial sector from different countries around the world.The chapters cover such topics as history, classification, scale-up, analytical tools, and mathematical and kinetic models for the operation of bioreactors in the food industry. In addition, chapters detail the characteristics of bioreactors for the production of food (bread, cheese, and coffee fermentation) and fermented beverages (beer, wine), distilled beverages, and organic compounds such as enzymes, acids, aromas, and pigments (biocolorants), among others.Key Features: Describes the basic and applied aspects of bioreactor in food processing Gathers information on bioreactors that is scattered in different journals and monographs as reviews and research articles Covers various types of bioreactors including stirred tank, airlift, photo-bioreactor, and disposable bioreactors Gives a broad overview of what exactly is involved in designing a bioreactor and optimizing its performance and finally their applications in the food processing industry The broad interdisciplinary approach of this book will certainly make your reading very interesting, and we hope that it can contribute to knowledge and instigate creative thinking to overcome the challenges that food bioprocessing brings us.

NONTHERMAL FOOD PROCESSING SAFETY AND PRESERVATION This book is essential for learning how biological processes are translated into commercial products and services under food biotechnology and will significantly broaden users'scope, capabilities, and application of bioprocess engineering, food processes, biochemical engineering, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and microbiology. Food engineering involves a variety of processes and technologies that deal with the construction, design, operations, and associated engineering principles to produce valuable edible goods and byproducts. There is a dearth of published cutting-edge high-quality original studies in the engineering and science of all types of processing technologies, from the beginning of the food supply chain to the consumer's dinner table. This book seeks to address multidisciplinary experimental and theoretical discoveries that have the potential to improve process efficiency, improve product quality, and extend the shelf-life of fresh and processed food and associated industries. This book is for the students and researchers who are interested in learning how biological processes are translated into commercial products and services with food biotechnology.

The objective of the book is to compile a detailed review of various developments in the area of food and industrial bioprocessing in a form that is easily comprehensible across a broad spectrum of readers working in relevant essential disciplines. The book reviews the development and implementation of processes for the manufacture of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, pigments, biocatalysts, industrial sugars, bioenergy, alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, nanocomposites packaging materials and specialty products through the application of microbiology, fermentation, enzymes and separation technology. The book is envisaged as a complete material that could be applied as a teaching text, reference material for advanced learners and source book for researchers, practitioners and technicians in research laboratories in the relevant disciplines.

This book presents the trends in research on fermented foods, introducing successful cases related to the fermentation of foods in restaurants, ideas for popularizing fermented foods among the population, as well as pioneering and inspiring initiatives aimed at regulating the production and marketing of fermented foods. Fermentation has been used for thousands of years to produce a variety of foods. In the last decades, research has been increasingly devoted to the study of fermented food's microbiome, unraveling the main aspects of the ecology of bacteria, fungi, and viruses and their impacts on product quality. Recently, research focused on the functionality of fermented foods, which has shown health benefits associated with their consumption. The science of food fermentation has evolved very quickly, mainly from the development of omic-based approaches widely used in studies around the world. Thus, despite the vast content about the microbiology of bioprocesses used in the production of fermented foods and beverages, novel insights are constantly provided by research in the area.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge biotechnological approaches for enhancing plant secondary metabolites to address abiotic stress, offering valuable insights into the future of utilizing plants for medicinal and industrial purposes. Various books on plant secondary metabolites are available, however, no book has an overview of the recent trends and future prospects of all the methods available to enhance the contents of the plant secondary metabolites. Plant Secondary Metabolites and Abiotic Stress aims to give an overview of all the available strategies to ameliorate abiotic stress in plants by modulating secondary metabolites using biotechnological approaches including plant tissue cultures, synthetic metabolic pathway engineering, targeted gene silencing, and editing using RNAi and CRISPR CAS9 technologies.

This book is focused on the production, cultivation, processing, composition, nutritional value, value addition, health implications, limitations and safety of nutricereals with an emphasis on their functional significance. With changing food habits and increasing health concerns, consumers around the world are opting for a more nutritious diet than that was consumed until recently. Nutricereals are now becoming a food of choice for many and newer products are being developed using them. Thus, a better understanding of these valuable crops is becoming essential. Researchers and scientists around the world have now turned their attention to nutricereals as a cheaper and most important solution to nutritional deficiencies. Processing of these cereals is matter of advanced research in recent times to make it suitable and palatable for human consumption and taste, and hence high emphasis is given on processing and value addition of these cereals. A comprehensive account of these important aspects is highly required. The book covers specific aspects of the nutricereals of consumption pattern and acceptance and the cultivation practices and health benefits associated with their consumption. Considerations on processing, value addition and safety associated with various nutricereals and current and future challenges and the opportunities for its utilization are highlighted in the book. This book forms an important resource on nutricereals for food technologists and food scientists.

This book is a groundbreaking exploration of the multifaceted world of oats, offering a holistic journey from historical roots to cutting-edge applications. Its diverse chapters traverse the genetic and genomic landscape of oats, tracing their origin, domestication, and global spread. From their humble beginnings as animal feed to their evolution into a staple in human diets, this book showcases oats as a pivotal player in sustainable agriculture and nutrition.The chapters meticulously delve into the bioactive compounds of oats, their health benefits, and the role of oats in disease prevention and management. The book also provides insights into oat processing techniques, storage, and milling, offering a comprehensive understanding of how these processes impact nutritional properties. The international scenario of oat production takes centre stage, emphasizing the vital role of oats in sustainable agriculture and their contribution to soil health and climate-resilient farming systems. The discussion on β-glucans, avenanthramides, and other bioactive compounds underscores the potential of oats in functional foods, catering to the increasing demand for health-focused dietary choices.Closing with a visionary look into the future, this book explores the development of novel value-added, oat-based superfoods, aligning with the global shift towards nutritionally dense, minimally processed options. Readers, including agronomists, farmers, chefs, and health enthusiasts, will find a wealth of knowledge on topics ranging from oat production economics to the nutritional composition that sets oats apart from other cereals.Oat (Avena sativa): Production to Plate is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive and forward-looking guide to the remarkable journey of oats, blending history, agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability into a seamless narrative.

Microbial Pigments: Applications in Food and Beverage Industry offers a comprehensive and updated review of the impact of microbial pigments as value-added products in the food and beverage industry. Microbes produce a range of valuable pigments such as carotenoids, flavins, melanins, quinines, and violacein. The book explores the use of microbial pigments as additives, antioxidants, color intensifiers, and functional food ingredients. It discusses pigment isolation and processing technologies. It covers a range of applications across products like jams, spreads, frozen desserts, and beverages. The book also discusses food safety and toxicology aspects.Key features Explores the various microbial pigments and their sources Reviews the pigment isolation, production, and processing techniques Discusses the potential application of pigments across a range of products in the food and beverage industry Includes the latest innovations and patents awarded in use of microbial pigments as value-added food products The book is meant for researchers, academic and industry experts in food biotechnology, food processing, and food microbiology.

The elapsing time from producer to consumer has significantly increased as a result of food marketing and trade globalization. Consequently, maintaining quality along the food value chain is becoming a significant challenge. Postharvest losses are considered a major component of food loss and waste in the supply chain from farmers to consumers, due to improper handling, storage, transport, preservation techniques and spoilage. Postharvest science aims to extend the shelf life of fresh and perishable commodities, and to reduce heavy losses, thereby contributing to food security. While significant progresses have been made in postharvest preservation and shelf-life extension, the continuous development of emerging technologies have changed our vision on postharvest science. Furthermore, recent advancements in molecular engineering of horticultural crops for quality improvement; the development of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have led to a better understanding of the physiology and the biochemistry of the senescence processes, resulting in better preservation and improved production of fresh crops. This two-volume work focuses on innovative technologies that extend and preserve shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Volume 1 offers a review on the state of the art modern technologies in the postharvest filed. The accompanying Volume 2 explores advanced and novel technologies after harvest, particularly the application of nanotechnologies to packaging materials.

While there is a nearly universal agreement that drinking tea can benefit health, information on the benefits or adverse effects of drinking tea is scattered, leaving definitive answers difficult to ascertain. Tea in Health and Disease Prevention, Second Edition, once again addresses this problem, bringing together all the latest and most relevant information on tea and its health effects into one comprehensive resource. This book covers compounds in black, green, and white teas and explores their health implications, first more generally, then in terms of specific organ systems and diseases. With over 75% brand new content, this fully reorganized, updated edition covers a wider range of tea varieties and beneficial compounds found in tea, such as epigallocatechin gallate and antioxidants.Tea in Health and Disease Prevention, Second Edition, is an organized, efficient resource that will help readers find quick answers to questions and will help inspire further studies for those interested in tea research. This is a must-have reference for researchers in food science and nutrition, as well as nutritionists and dieticians. - Covers and compares features, benefits, and potential negative effects of the most important types of tea, including green, black, and white - Identifies therapeutic benefits of teas for new product development - Offers a'one stop shop'for research in this area, compiling both foundational and cutting-edge topics into one resource - Includes a dictionary of key terms, other health effects of tea or extracts, and a summary point section within each chapter for a quick reference

Sustainable Food System is a food system that delivers food safety & security as two key elements and nutrition for masses having impact on their social, economic, and environmental bases to generate nutritional food security for future generations shall not be compromised. Therefore, SFS targets the economic sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability and makes a robust system having expansive benefits for the society. This concept of Sustainable Food System under SDG Goals is such a vast concept that, it has been impossible to highlight all the concepts in one volume. Therefore, the Editor have compiled this voluminous, comprehensive and compendious approach as balanced and organized structure of work as: Sustainable Food System Volume I & II.The Sustainable Food System (Volume - I): framework, sustainable diets, Traditional Food Culture & Food production has a very comprehensive outline and divided in 4 major sections and further 24 different chapters. The book addresses both the theoretical and applied aspects of sustainable food diverse food systems A Sustainable Food System (SFS) is a comprehensive food system that targets the sustainable diets, traditional food culture with indigenous system and the overall food production on as well. All chapters in different sections will be written by key scientists with diverse backgrounds in either industry / R&D / academia, and will provide an update on emerging ideas and sustainable technologies as well as vision for the future. The 1st section: Sustainable Food System: concepts & framework primarily focusing on the Sustainable food systems, its conceptual introduction, framework and different concepts nationally & internationally. The 2nd section: Responsible consumption and sustainable diets deals with different aspects of nutrients sustaining health & sustainable diets. The 3rd section: Conservation and promotion of Traditional Food Culture, covers the conservation & promotion of traditional food cultures & their practices. The last & 4th section: Climate change and sustainable food production provide the current knowledge and innovative developments related to climate change, nutritional security & agronomic bio-fortification.

Handbook of Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana): Cultivation, Processing, Chemistry, and Functionality presents multidisciplinary coverage of P. peruviana and its role as in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. Broken into three sections, the book addresses the cultivation, species, and cultivars of Physalis peruviana, along with its chemistry, functionality, health-promoting properties, technologies, processing, and applications. Written for nutrition researchers, food scientists, food chemists, food technologists, nutritionists, and those studying related field, this book is a timely reference for those who wish to learn more about this functional food. - Presents the chemistry and functionality of Physalis peruviana - Discusses the processing, technology, and functional applications of Physalis peruviana - Explores Physalis peruviana phytochemicals and its health-promoting effects

The demand for plant foods in all global markets has been increasing along with awareness of greenhouse gases generated from animal farming, expanded sentiments against animal slaughtering and common perception of the health benefits of plant food products. Accordingly, more attention has been placed on green processing of plant foods for the optimization of their nutritional and health benefits. Sprouted vegetable products have been studied and reported in many scientific investigations to qualitatively improve the phytochemistry, enhance the nutritional profile and improve the biological functionality potentials of such vegetables beyond their initial natural states. Vegetable sprouts have been reported to possess aspects that make them serviceable for the management of metabolic syndrome disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other health issues related to cellular oxidation of body cells, and antimicrobial bioactive components have been isolated from vegetable sprouts. Advances in Plant Sprouts: Phytochemistry and Biofunctionalities provides a singular source on recent advances in studies about the dietetic and nutraceutical potencies of vegetable sprouts and increases awareness on the possibility of processing plant foods to make them more nutritionally beneficial. Green production is another important aspect of this text since plant foods processed by sprouting are free of agrochemicals, consume less energy and utilize less manpower, making them easy to produce and environmentally friendly as well. Consumption and production of sprouted vegetables has been increasing in recent years, and this text covers the production and nutritional aspects of all the major sprout groups.

This book focuses on various tropical fruit tree species management for climate change including mitigation strategies and technological countermeasures taken by researchers, progressive growers and commercial companies to overcome the adverse changes. It can be considered as a unique source emphasizing the fruit species solitary not by subject as usual to enable readers reaching directly to their crop of interest. The content includes genetic resources conservation, remote sensing and environmental certification. Increasing attention of the society toward information and measures taken by various stakeholders about climate change risks and threats makes this book very timely.Key points covered: Provides a contemporary view of the impact of climate change on cultivation of individual fruit species Offers modern approaches for mitigating the adverse impact of climate change on fruits cultivation Describes research progress of understanding and combating the impact of climate change on fruits production Illustrates presented concepts with relevant figures and tabulated data

After more than 30 years, The Book of Fructans represents the first and most comprehensive coverage of fructans generated by pioneer glycoscientists from the field. It outlines the fundamentals of all fructan types, their terminology, chemical and structural-functional features, biosynthetic enzymes that make and break them, their presence and possible roles in nature, their evolutionary aspects and their microbial, enzymatic, and plant-based production. Additional sections cover the applications of fructans, specifically, the agro/chemical and biomedical applications, health, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, fructans in food and feed, fructan nanotechnology, the immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of fructans and the perspectives for fructans in circular economies and sustainable societies. Intended for scientists, entrepreneurs, academicians and students working in related fields, this book will be a useful resource for all who wish to learn more about these extraordinary carbohydrates. - Combines all aspects of fructans in a single volume - Covers fundamentals, applications and society - Introduces'Fructans for Life'concepts

Applications of Next Generation Biosurfactants in the Food Sector provides detailed information on the sustainable approach to the utilization of biosurfactants as a next-generational green biotechnology to mitigate various problems encountered in the food industry. These biosurfactants help to reduce risks such as food spoilage, food poisoning, and post-harvest losses of fruits, vegetable, grains, tubers, cereals and pulses. This book will benefit academics, R&D professionals, and postgrad students in the food science and related fields as they explore recent trends in the application of these green biosurfactants and the many uses they can provide. - Provides examples of mathematical modeling, metabolomics, bioinformatics, metabolic engineering, systems biology, and computer technology for solving real-life food challenges using biosurfactants - Presents biosurfactants as an innovative, green, biotechnological solution to resolving food safety issues and improving human health - Includes applications of biosurfactants for the prevention of mycotoxins and as a biodegradable material with a wide variety of uses

Enzyme inactivation in fruits and vegetables is of utmost importance regarding food quality during storage. This new volume explores important emerging technologies for the inactivation of enzymes in the design and preservation of food. The book covers the basic concepts and chemical methods and then introduces novel processing technologies for inactivating food enzymes. The new technologies are many: pulsed electric field, ultraviolet and light-emitting diodes, ohmic heating, dense-phased carbon dioxide, cold plasma, ultrasonication, microwave processing, radiofrequency, extraction, and others. The volume also looks at the design of nutraceutical-based functional foods, specific foods for gut-microbiodata, the use of omega-3 fatty acids to fortify food products, and the characteristics of dairy-based dry powders, and characteristics of millet starches. It also considers the role of the bioactive compounds and metal ions for catalases secreted by medicinal plants and mushrooms for enzyme inactivation and biosensing, along with the role of bionanomaterials in nanoencapsulation and catalysis.

Sustainable Food Science: A Comprehensive Approach provides a timely resource on new materials and ingredients currently available in the food industry, along with cutting-edge research on how to develop and secure sustainable food for a growing world population. With contributions from international experts and an outstanding editing team, the book covers sustainable sources of ingredients for the food industry, i.e., pulses, soybeans, peanuts, along with prospective and emerging sources such as industrial hemp, insects, algae, etc. In addition, other sections cover sustainable processes for new food sources and new food design, such as microbiological and biotechnological processes and dairy and meat substitutes. Users will value the clear-cut, in-depth and expert assessment of each topic and appreciate its sensible and logical hierarchical structure. This reference work will provide expert guidance for food scientists of all levels – both in academia or industry. - Updates on the latest sustainable sources of ingredients for the food industry, i.e., pulses, soybeans, peanuts, and more - Covers prospective and emerging sources such as industrial hemp, insects, algae, etc. - Provides content on sustainable processes for new food sources and new food design, such as microbiological and biotechnological processes alongside processes for obtaining dairy and meat substitutes

Starchy Crops Morphology, Extraction, Properties and Applications is the first volume of the'Underground Starchy Crops of South American Origin'book series. Organized in five volumes, this series brings information on the applied level of producing and using starch from a range of plants grown in tropical and subtropical areas that have South American origin. This book presents the characteristics and properties of starches for raw materials grown in tropical climates. It allows comparing starches from 3 types of storage organs, roots, tubers and rhizomes, with different morphological structures and physiology. It contains the methodologies of extraction and analysis, describing the commercial process with the commercial equipment's and its by-products and wastes. It also includes topics on fraud detection, nutritional aspects, and starch structure. Edited by a team of experts with solid background on starch extraction research, the books are aimed at all those involved in research and development as well as quality control and legislation in the field of starch. - Offers an overview on the applied level of producing and using starch from a range of plants grown in tropical and subtropical areas that have South America origin - Brings physiological differences of starch and how it relates to their performance and application - Thoroughly explores the structure of starch polysaccharides, analyses, industrial modifications, extraction, processing, applications, adulteration, and economic and legislative aspects

'Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of moulds belonging essentially to the Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium genera. They can be produced on a wide range of agricultural commodities and under a diverse range of situations. Due to their various toxic effects and their good thermal stability, the presence of mycotoxins in foods and feeds is potentially hazardous to the health of both humans and animals. Mycotoxins may cause damage to e.g. liver, kidney or the nervous system, some are even carcinogenic. There is growing concern for ways in which these fungi and their mycotoxins can be prevented from entering the human and animal food chain. And worldwide changes in legislation ever increase the need for more precise and sensitive mycotoxin analytical methods.'Meeting the mycotoxin menace'contains the peer-reviewed papers of the second World Mycotoxin Forum held 17-18 February 2003 in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The book focuses on the various aspects related to the presence, prevention, control, sampling and analysis of mycotoxins in agricultural commodities, foods and feeds. In this publication special attention is given to new developments in this field. The editors firmly believe that the very nature of the themes chosen and the excellence of the papers by invited experts from various disciplines will draw an audience from both the food and feed industry, regulatory authorities and science.'

The goal of Advances in Plant Biotechnology is to integrate the most recent knowledge on tissue culture, secondary metabolites production under controlled conditions, scaling up to produce them at bioreactor level, and their industrial applications. The biosynthetic pathways and the factors that affect them and the accumulation of metabolites, including metabolomics in medicinal plants, are key components as well. Several extraction and encapsulation technological procedures are reviewed. The structure and function of metabolites from selected commercial crops are reported in detail. Finally, items of paramount importance, such as bioavailability and stability of metabolites in pharma and food products are deeply analyzed.Key Features: Strategies for obtaining selected metabolites through in vitro culture Application of biotechnological and bioengineering principles to the management of plant metabolites Description of the encapsulation of selected metabolites Bioavailability and stability of metabolites in pharma, food, and industrial sectors This book is mainly addressed to research scientists, technical staff, and private and public organizations involved in plant biotechnology and in its processing industries. Last, but not least, students at all levels and postdoctoral researchers have received special attention from all editors and authors in this publication.

The term'Nutri-Cereals'has been dedicated to ten cereals due to their unique nutritional benefits. Nutri-Cereals: Nutraceutical and Techno-Functional Potential covers these cereal grains, with each chapter focusing on nutrient composition and bioactive characterization followed by associated bio-functional properties and health benefits. Further, it covers techno-functionality of nutri-cereals including rheological properties, emulsification and foaming potential, gelation behavior, color profile and others which dictate the suitability of cereals in finished products.Key Features: Covers diverse biological and functional features of nutri-cereals to dictate their potential as functional ingredients in value-added products Discusses the nutraceutical potential of ten cereals: sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, kodo millet, little millet, proso millet, black wheat and Amaranthus Explains how these grains are ideal ingredients for gluten free food formulations with enhanced bio- and techno-functional characteristics Although many of the nutri-cereals have been known for thousands of years, due to their coarse nature and lack of processing they escaped the human diet. Now, thanks to their excellent agro-economic potential and numerous health benefits, they are once again recognized as functional ingredients. Recently, earmarked investment and funding have been observed for valorization of these crops and thus, this book will help academicians to strengthen future investigations.

Dairy products and health is a book covering the processing of dairy products with improved health properties and related aspects. Chapters include information about functional dairy products added with probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, exopolysaccharides, fruits, and plant extracts. Furthermore, aspects of Staphylococcus aureus in the dairy chain and consequent health impact are discussed.

Anthocyanins are one of the powerful antioxidants that can alleviate several lifestyle diseases such as heart diseases and hypertension. They can reduce cancer by protecting cells against damage. Several subtropical fruits, including berries, plums, black grapes, apricots, and peaches, among others, are a rich source of anthocyanin. Consumption of these fruits will prolong the longevity of consumers; this is ascribed to the curative effects of anthocyanins present in those fruits. Anthocyanins in Subtropical Fruits: Chemical Properties, Processing, and Health Benefits discusses novel techniques adopted for the extraction of anthocyanins from various subtropical fruits.In this book, experts in the field examine solutions for efficiently extracting anthocyanins from subtropical fruits with higher yield. Protocols for the commercial production of anthocyanins from various subtropical fruits with their applications are also discussed in detail.Additional features:• Addresses chemical properties, classification, and stability of anthocyanins during processing and storage• Discusses the benefits of using both thermal and non-thermal processing methods for extraction of anthocyanins from various subtropical fruits• Explains the applications of synthetic and natural anthocyanins in foods and their regulatory aspectsProviding comprehensive information on extraction techniques as well as the chemical and health properties of anthocyanins from various subtropical fruits, this book is a valuable resource for academic students, research scholars, and food scientists.9781032127958_

Mycotoxins represent an assorted range of secondary fungal metabolites that extensively occur in numerous food and feed ingredients at any stage during pre- and post-harvest conditions. Mycotoxin contamination in food and feed cause acute and chronic mycotoxicosis, including teratogenic, carcinogenic, oestrogenic, neurotoxic, and immunosuppressive effects and several others health issues. Mycotoxins in Food and Feed presents an overview of all the major mycotoxins, sources of production, chemistry and biosynthesis, occurrence in food and feed, effect on agriculture, effect on human health, detection technique, masked mycotoxins, and management and control strategies. Key Features Provides broad coverage of mycotoxins and their effects on food and feed Includes comprehensive information of occurrence, chemistry, detections methods and management strategies for each toxin Discusses the recent development in detection technologies for major mycotoxins Explores agricultural practices and post-harvest management strategies for managing mycotoxin infestations

Flavonoids are known to have positive effects on human and animal health and are employed for disease therapy and chemoprevention.This book presents recent advances of polyphenol (flavonoids) derivatives for the management and prevention of diseases. It summarizes the classification of flavonoids and explores their potential as immunity-boosting compounds for mental health, for prevention of cardiovascular illnesses, for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory uses, for their use in vasodilation, for their use in dermatology and cosmetic preparation, and more. The various methods of flavonoid extraction are addressed, including the main parameters involved in extraction, such as temperature, solvent used, sample quantity, time for extraction, etc. The book also looks at the role of flavonoids in sustainable agriculture.

Sustainable Food System has cutting-edge green & circular Technologies, food Safety & diversity that aims to provide quality and safe foods in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way. The book addresses both the theoretical and applied aspects of sustainable food diverse food systems. This concept of Sustainable Food System under SDG Goals is such a vast concept that, it has been impossible to highlight all the concepts in one volume. Therefore, the Editor have compiled this voluminous, comprehensive and compendious approach as balanced and organized structure of work as: Sustainable Food System Volume I & II.A Sustainable Food System (SFS) is a comprehensive food system and Volume II targets the Novel Sustainable Green Food Processing Technologies, Circular Strategies for Recovery & Valorization and the overall sustainable techniques for Food Safety & Food Diversity. The book has a very comprehensive outline, divided in 3 major sections and further 20 different chapters. All chapters in different sections will be written by key scientists with diverse backgrounds in either industry / R&D / academia, and will provide an update on emerging ideas and sustainable technologies as well as vision for the future. The Section 5: Novel Sustainable Green Food Processing Technologies primarily focusing on the novel green different food processing technologies in different food categories. The Section 6: Circular Strategies for Recovery & Valorization, deals with different circular strategies for valorization of the food products. The Section 7: Sustainable Techniques for Food Safety & Food Diversity, will cover the food safety trends and food diversities nationally & internationally.

Legumes can act as good sources of nutrients, especially for those who are suffering from protein related nutritional deficiency. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) are annual legumes grown throughout the world as food and feed. The presence of specific nutrients with many health benefits makes them a valuable food commodity.Chickpea and Cowpea: Nutritional Profile, Processing, Health Prospects and Commercial Uses explores the status of chickpea and cowpea in terms of their production, nutritional composition, processing mediated changes, and methods to remove antinutrients, bioactive peptides and their related health benefits. This book also demonstrates the key features of chickpea and cowpea which will make them an ideal substrate to be processed at a commercial scale. It covers all the aspects of latest research based on chickpea and cowpea.Features- Discusses information related to biochemistry of chickpea and cowpea components- Highlights comprehensive and meaningful information related to physical and functional properties- Explains processing mediated changes in nutritional profile of chickpea and cowpea- Provides latest scientific facts related to chickpea and cowpea starch- Explores various bioactive components and related health benefits- Demonstrates storage conditions for chickpea and cowpeaIn depth information is presented regarding various nutrient components and health benefits of chickpea and cowpea, which will provide meaningful information for product formulation. This book covers all aspects of recent research about the chickpea and cowpea while unravelling the hidden industrial potential of chickpea and cowpea.

Flavonoids are well-known plant metabolites that have extraordinary properties that can be used for treating health issues. The pharmaceutical importance of flavonoids is due to their anti-depressant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant capacities. They are also of great importance when it comes to neuroprotection, cardiovascular disorders, and many types of cancer. Flavonoids are also easily available and produce less harmful side effects than some conventional therapeutics.This new volume examines the growing use of flavonoids for prevention and treatment of diseases and discusses their beneficial mechanisms. Chapters in the volume address diverse uses as anti-aging tools, as anti-inflammatory agents, for treating pregnancy-induced disorders, as a promising tool to combat infection of Covid-19, etc. The book explores their specific therapeutic antiviral potentials, the gene expression by flavonoids, and the role of flavonoids in agriculture.

Handbook on Natural Pigments in Food and Beverages: Industrial Applications for Improving Color, Second Edition focuses on a color solution for a specific commodity, providing food scientists with a one-stop, comprehensive reference on how to improve the color of a particular food product. The book includes two new chapters that highlight the physical and biological fundamentals of color, as well as the specific use of curcumin and carthamin. Sections focus on specific industrial applications of natural colorants, with chapters covering the use of natural colorants in a variety of products. Other sections highlight technical formulation and potential health benefits of specific colorants. Various pigments which can be used to effectively color food and beverage commodities are presented with information on safety and testing throughout. - Provides a fully revised and updated resource on current regulatory standards and legislation - Includes new chapters on both emerging ingredients and the latest technologies - Focuses on the use of natural food colorants by specific product category per chapter rather than one pigment class per chapter - Contains a current and comprehensive overview of product-specific coloration approaches

Encyclopedia of Food Safety, Second Edition, Four Volume Set provides an authoritative one-stop reference work covering all aspects of the field. Specific focus lies in the book's coverage of key industry developments over the last ten years, including: (i) detailed understanding of infectious agents and toxins and their route into the food chain; (ii) sophisticated detection and identification methods; (iii) effective control mechanisms, like heat treatment, refrigeration and sanitizers; (iv) education of food processors, handlers and consumers about safe food handling practices; (v) sanctioned food production, processing, storage and transport control protocols, like HACCP; and (vi) a strong policy and regulatory environment. With approximately 270 outstandingly written chapters from the world's leading experts in food science, the book covers all aspects of food safety along the entire food chain and in one complete work, thus providing the ideal reference tool for professionals working across the multiple scientific disciplines and technologies that constitute modern food safety. - Provides an up-to-date,'one-stop'resource that will bridge the gap in current knowledge - Intuitively organized into 9 sections over 4 volumes – providing an excellent overview of the field - Contains approximately 270 chapters written by a global team of experts in food science and safety - Ensures relevance to scientists across a variety of fields, such as food science, agriculture, health and climate change

Green Products in Food Safety explores the potential of green chemicals in the sustainable management of food biodeterioration agents and addresses the current existing limitations of green products for their sustainable application. The book summarizes food loss by biodeterioration agents (bacteria, fungi, mycotoxin, and insect pest); novel detection methods for hazardous food contaminants; different sources of green chemicals, their origin, extraction, and characterization methods; and bioactivity of green products against biodeterioration agents with their molecular sites of action. Also included are discussions of pharmacological properties of green chemicals, metabolic engineering of green chemical biosynthesis, natural therapy for bovine mastitis, the role of molecular modeling and dynamics in food science, nanocarriers for application in the food system, elucidation of novel site of action, toxicity prediction, ecological perception, Intellectual Property Right (IPR), regulations, and perspectives on the commercial application of green products. This book covers basic and translational aspects that prove to be beneficial for food scientists, researchers, students, and young professionals. - Presents a systematic and in-depth understanding of recent scientific and technological advances related to green products and their application in food systems against biodeterioration agents - Covers the basic and translational aspects related to the field of biopesticides and food loss by biodeterioration agents - Links scientific and technological advancements to address existing limitations such as availability, cost-effectiveness, molecular mode of action, toxicity assessment, IPR, and more

Present Knowledge in Food Safety: A Risk-Based Approach Through the Food Chain presents approaches for exposure-led risk assessment and the management of changes in the chemical, pathogenic microbiological and physical (radioactivity) contamination of'food'at all key stages of production, from farm to consumption. This single volume resource introduces scientific advances at all stages of the production to improve reliability, predictability and relevance of food safety assessments for the protection of public health. This book is aimed at a diverse audience, including graduate and post-graduate students in food science, toxicology, microbiology, medicine, public health, and related fields. The book's reach also includes government agencies, industrial scientists, and policymakers involved in food risk analysis. - Includes new technologies such as nanotechnology, genetic modification, and cloning - Provides information on advances in pathogen risk assessment through novel and real-time molecular biological techniques, biomarkers, resistance measurement, and cell-to-cell communication in the gut - Covers the role of the microbiome and the use of surrogates (especially for viruses)

When compared to other major fruits, citrus fruits have resistance to pests and diseases, a short growing season and productivity even under harsh environmental conditions. Worldwide, citrus fruits are well known for their nutrients-rich juice and medicinal properties. Juice extracted from citrus fruits is rich source of vitamin C and various antioxidant compounds that are required to sustain a healthy life. Fruits are consumed in raw as well as processed forms, and the pharmacological importance of citrus fruits are not only limited to its edible parts, but also to non edible seeds and peel that are also a rich source of bioactive constituents with health benefiting properties. In current fruit processing techniques the peel is discarded as a byproduct after extraction of the juice. Researchers and food scientists are now focusing on utilization of fruit waste/byproducts to use them as a substrate in food processing, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Whole fruits, seeds contain important antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Recent advances in Citrus Fruits provide in-depth knowledge on the nutritional profile, production details, processing, products and health benefits of citrus fruits. The most important citrus fruits, from lemons and limes to grapefruit and mosambi are covered in full, providing researchers with full breakdowns on each citrus fruit's nutritional makeup, processing specifics and agrarian importance, health benefits and use in various products across a wide range of industries. This text covers all of the latest research related to citrus fruits and provides researchers with a curated source on these valuable fruits.

Engineering Aspects of Food Quality and Safety aims to fill the knowledge gap in current technological advances and methods for food safety and quality, dedicating entire sections to analytical techniques from quality testing to packaging, post-harvest methods from product utilization to storage to chemical engineering principles and pre-harvest interventions from genetic engineering and mechanization to the links between pre-and-post harvest techniques. Throughout the book, global policy perspectives are taken into account. An introductory section is also included to cover the role of food processing and engineering in food quality and safety improvement. Encompassing all of the major applications and challenges involved in the engineering aspects of food safety and quality in one source, this work is incredibly valuable to a wide range of food engineers, scientists, and industry professionals involved in the engineering, processing and packaging of both novel andtraditional foods. This text provides a detailed overview of the newest methods and advanced technologies used in the improvement of quality and safety in foods. The processes and methods described in this book are applicable to many areas of the food industry including pre-harvest and post-harvest technology, food machinery and product formulation. Featuring contributions from prominent food scientists and engineers across the globe, this work contains detailed coverage of the latest advances in genetic and chemical engineering, mechanization, thermal and non-thermal processing, automation, computational tools, packaging and waste management. The latest analytical techniques are also covered, including chapters dedicated to in-line monitoring, nanosensors, rapid testing kits and E-sensors. Maintaining a high standard of safety for consumers in foods is an interdisciplinary effort involving biologists, chemists, nutritionists, chemical engineers, mechanical engineers and genetic engineers among others. All of these experts will find this book to be a singular source encompassing all of the major current advances in food safety engineering and processing.

This book intends to report the new results of the study of bacteriocins, from basic research to application fields. It mainly introduces the biological characteristics of bacteriocins, the relationship between their structure and function, the antibacterial mode of action, and their application as antibacterial agents in food industry, medical care, and other areas, especially their application potential in human health. This book can be used as a reference book for researchers, undergraduates, and graduated students in the professional fields of food science and engineering, bioengineering, medicine, and agriculture.

This book creates a multidisciplinary forum of discussion on Ficus carica with particular emphasis on its horticulture, post-harvest, marketability, phytochemistry, extraction protocols, biochemistry, nutritional value, functionality, health-promoting properties, ethnomedicinal applications, technology and processing. The impact of traditional and innovative processing on the recovery of high-added value compounds from Ficus carica byproducts is extensively reported. Also, the text discusses the potential applications of Ficus carica in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Fig (Ficus carica): Production, Processing, and Properties illustrates a diversity of developments in food science and horticultural research including:Production, processing, chemistry, and functional properties of Ficus carica.Ficus carica phytochemicals and its health-promoting effects.Food, non-food and technological applications of Ficus carica.Recent research focuses on studying the bioactive compounds and therapeutic traits and investigating the mode of action and toxicological impacts of medical plant extracts and bioactive phytochemicals. Ficus carica is of significant importance due to its widespread food, industrial and medicinal applications. Although Ficus carica products are already commercially available in the international market, it is hard to find a reference work covering the production, processing, chemistry and properties of Ficus carica. This book will be the first publication focusing specifically on this important topic.