There is an ever-increasing demand for more food but one of the stumbling blocks to achieving this goal is quality and quantity losses due to various pests and pathogens and the mycotoxins synthesized by these harmful biotic entities. Thus far, strategies employed to manage these post-harvest diseases and mycotoxins decontamination include established physical, cultural, and chemical methods. Recently, the application of chemicals to reduce decay and deterioration caused by various pathogens has been impeded as these hazardous chemicals contaminate the environment, enter the food chain, and destroy beneficial microorganisms and pests by aiming at non-target microorganisms. In light of this, the usage of eco-friendly and non-polluting alternatives to chemical pesticides is the call of the hour. Bio-management of Postharvest Diseases and Mycotoxigenic Fungi deals with the current state and future prospects of using various bio-management techniques that are natural, eco-friendly, and environmentally safe. It aims to increase awareness of their potential as well as sensitizing readers to the various aspects of biologicals in pest control. Key Features: Highlights classical versus new techniques adopted to manage postharvest diseases Discusses novel approaches in managing fungal spoilage and mycotoxin decontamination Provides readers with a 360-degree perspective of the pre- and post-harvest quality mycotoxin decontamination research being conducted Details proposals of new ideas to ensure a food secure and pesticide-free world This book disseminates notable and diversified scientific work carried out by leading experts in their own field. Written by qualified scientists in each of their respective disciplines, it can serve as a current and comprehensive treatise on the emerging field of bio-management of postharvest diseases and mycotoxin decontamination by products that are "generally regarded as safe."

Fungal Secondary Metabolites: Synthesis and Applications in Agroecosystem presents the properties and biotechnological applications of microbial metabolites and their industrial, pharmaceutical, antimicrobial, and anticancer applications. Chapters cover topics such as the role of fungal metabolites in the management of abiotic stress, microbial alkaloids and their pharmaceutical and agricultural applications, and fungal metabolites as novel plant pathogen antagonists. Plant and agri-food environmental scientists, researchers, graduate, and post-graduate students in related fields will find value in this reference which is published as part of the series Nanobiotechnology for Plant Protection. - Addresses the link between fungal secondary metabolites and health - Covers cryptic genes and their link to the production of bioactive compounds - Explores possibilities for producing bio-based business solutions

This thorough volume explores the possibility of detecting and identifying toxigenic fungi, able to produce secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins, which cause severe health problems in humans and animals after exposure to contaminated food and feed, having a broad range of toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Beginning with a section on fungal genera and species of major significance along with their associated mycotoxins, the book continues with sections on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based methods for the detection and identification of mycotoxigenic fungi, PCR-based methods for multiplex detection of mycotoxigenic fungi, as well as sections on combined approaches and new methodologies. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Mycotoxigenic Fungi: Methods and Protocols will aid researchers working in this vital field to provide insight into possible actions to reduce mycotoxin contamination of crop plants and the food/feed byproducts.

A UN report presented to the UN Human Rights Council in 2017 recognized that, “although pesticide use has been correlated with a rise in food production, it has had catastrophic impacts" on human health and the environment. The report acknowledged that “increased food production has not succeeded in eliminating hunger worldwide because of the many interacting factors involved. Reliance on hazardous pesticides is a short-term solution that undermines the rights to adequate food and health for present and future generations." It is hoped that the knowledge available in Synthetic Pesticide Use in Africa: Impact on People, Animals, and the Environment will both enlighten the reader to present serious concerns on the use of synthetic pesticides, and motivate society to make the changes necessary for the sustainable production of safe, nutritious, and affordable food for the anticipated 9.6 billion inhabitants of this Earth in 2050. Key Features: • Explains the relationship of synthetic pesticides to escalating noncommunicable human and animal diseases in Africa and developing countries. • Discusses the impact of the herbicide glyphosate on the health of humans, animals, and the environment. • Reviews the disease causing mode of action of glyphosate and other synthetic pesticides on nutrient density and human and animal bodies. • Warns of the special vulnerability of children to synthetic pesticide toxicity. • Recommends needed legal initiatives to use synthetic pesticides more judiciously. The book is divided into seven (7) sections: I. General Impact, explains the general impact of synthetic pesticides on the African people, their animals, and environment. II. Human Health, covers the impact of synthetic pesticides on the human body, while III, Children’s Health, focuses on the special vulnerability of children to synthetic pesticides. IV. Animal Health describes the synthetic pesticide threats to animal production and sustainability. V. Environmental Health presents the threat of synthetic pesticides to soil microbiota and sustainable remediations. VI. Control Strategies discusses biologically-based alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Finally, VII. Reglatory Control presents some legal initiatives to combat the misuse of synthetic pesticides.

Environmental Applications of Microbial Nanotechnology: Emerging Trends in Environmental Remediation discusses emerging trends and recent advancements in environmental remediation. The book provides environmental applications of microbial nanotechnology that helps readers understand novel microbial systems and take advantage of recent advances in microbial nanotechnologies. It highlights established research and technology on microbial nanotechnology's environmental applications, moves to rapidly emerging aspects and then discusses future research directions. The book provides researchers in academia and industry with a high-tech start-up that will revolutionize the modern environmental applications of microbial nanotechnology research. Provides the fundamentals of microbial nanotechnology in relation to environmental applications Addresses challenging impacts of microbial nanotechnology on the environment, human health, safety and sustainability Provides principles and advanced trends and approaches for environmental remediation Features real-time applications with case studies that illustrate how microbial nanotechnology influences modern sciences and technology

Phytochemicals are receiving increasing attention due to their observed nutritional and health-promoting effects in numerous food applications. As plant secondary metabolites with bioactive properties, they may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition to reduce chronic disease conditions. Their importance in nutrition and health cannot be overstated as it has generated so much interest and studies focused on elucidating their roles has produced so many outstanding results. Plant phytochemicals are readily used in alternative medicine in South East Asia especially, in China and India and they are becoming widely acceptable worldwide. However, very little is still known about the phytochemicals despite these intense research efforts because of their diverse biological and chemical nature. In this newest addition to the series, Nutraceuticals: Basic Research and Clinical Applications, Plant Food Phytochemicals and Bioactive Compounds in Nutrition and Health provides a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge in the field of bioactive plant phytochemical compounds, their food sources, bioactivities, bioavailability, extraction, production, and applications. Experts in the field discuss various bioactivities of the notable and promising plant phytochemicals of significance in nutrition and health, e.g., lowering of CVD, hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, inflammation, cancer, oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases and a host of other chronic disease conditions. Key Features: Describes the various nutritional and bioactive significances of notable and promising plant phytochemicals of significance in nutritional and medical research and their food and/or plant sources Includes various approaches for the quantification, extraction and production of the notable and promising phytochemical compounds in nutrition and health Examines the challenges and promises of plant phytochemical as ingredients for the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals as well as their use in alternative medicine Discusses regulatory issues regarding plant phytochemicals, especially as it pertains to their health claims and use

New Horizons in Natural Compound Research provides the latest updates in natural compound research (plant, microbes, algae, fungi) and their novel applications in health, agriculture and environment. The book gives recent advances in the extraction of natural compounds, cutting-edge approaches for natural compound purifications, and emerging trends in natural compound screening and identification. In addition, it provides a detailed explanation of the databases and libraries of natural compounds, as well as their significance. Sections focus on research and multidisciplinary practical techniques of natural product research, encouraging young scientists to pursue unique research while also generating strong research ideas. From a future perspective, this book acts as a guide to identify potential areas and new research opportunities in the field of natural products and their service towards human beings, animals and the environment. - Provides a one–stop solution for concepts, cutting-edge techniques, methods, and novel applications of natural products in health and the environment - Focuses on current gaps in natural product research, as well as methodologies and techniques to assist researchers in resolving existing challenges and speeding up the pace of drug discovery from natural sources - Highlights new avenues of natural product research - Contains contributions from well-experienced researchers from academia, research institutes and top-notch young scientists from industry

Global food losses are a result of a lack of necessary infrastructure, improper food safety handling procedures, and insufficient training for the personnel working in the cold chain. The development of a resource-efficient and energy-smart food supply chain requires a well-integrated evaluation and development of the cold chain. Cold Chain Management for the Fresh Produce Industry in the Developing World provides a comprehensive review of the benefits of an unbroken cold chain in developing countries and focuses on the critical role of extension education in the implementation of cold chain management. The unbroken cold chain is essential for all stakeholders in the fresh produce industry to maintain the quality and safety of food products during handling, transporting, and storing in their journey from producer to consumer. Appropriate cold chain management is crucial not only to reduce the postharvest losses and wastages, but also to increase farmers' income, generate employment opportunities, and improve the livelihood of stakeholders along the supply chain. Key Features: Includes case studies for promoting the expansion of existing technologies for cold chain development in Asian, Africa and the Caribbean nations. Assesses cold chain management as crucial to the growth of global trade in perishable products with contributions from international organizations, researchers and commercial experts. Articulates resilient, sustainable and creative concepts to develop cold chains to enhance food distribution. This book comprises of chapters contributed by the experts and practitioners of cold chain development in developing countries. The authors in the book provide the scenario of cold chain management in the world and discuss the importance of the cold chain as well as the different options and innovations of cooling systems. Chapters also include case studies, success stories, capacity building activities, and other opportunities in cold chain development.

Mycotoxins are toxins produced by aerobic, microscopic fungus under special conditions of moisture and temperature. They colonize in a variety of foods from harvest to the grocer. Mycotoxins have gained world wide interest in recent years with the revelation of the effect of these toxins on health. A current example is the presence of ochratoxin A, a human carcinogen and nephrotoxin, in wines. The increased concern about fruit safety has led to increased studies throughout the world and enhanced awareness for stringent regulations governing mycotoxin limits in food.Presented in three defined sections, this is the first book to provide comprehensive analysis of the main mycotoxins contaminating fruits and vegetables and their derived products. The first section provides a safety evaluation of mycotoxins in fruits and vegetables, details regarding factors affecting mycotoxin production and diffusion in the fruit tissue, and recent methods for detection of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins produced by the fungi. The second part takes a critical look at the main individual mycotoxins and the third section focuses on approaches for prevention and control. - The first book dedicated to mycotoxins in fruits and vegetables - Presents mycological, mycotoxicological and phytopathological aspects of fruits and vegetables - Includes an analysis of detection, prevention and control methods for mycotoxigenic fungi and the mycotoxins they produce - Provides a complete risk assessment and safety evaluation of mycotoxins in perishable produce