Covers the basic knowledge of the regulation of biosynthesis of various amino acids in plants and the application of this knowledge to the discovery of novel inhibitors of amino acid biosynthesis and for enhancing the nutritional value of plant products. Provides an exhaustive list of pathway inhibitors.

Plants constantly cope with unfavourable ecosystem conditions, which often prevent them reaching their full genetic potential in terms of growth, development and productivity. This book covers plants' responses to these environmental changes, namely, the modulation of amino acids, peptides and amines to combat both biotic and abiotic stress factors. Bringing together the most recent developments, this book is an important resource for researchers and students of crop stress and plant physiology.

Amino Acid - New Insights and Roles in Plant and Animal provides useful information on new aspects of amino acid structure, synthesis reactions, dietary application in animals, and metabolism in plants. Section 1 includes chapters that describe the therapeutic uses, antiallergic effects, new aspects in the D-amino acid structure, historical background of desmosines, and stereoselective synthesis of ?-aminophosphonic acids. Section 2 presents the role of amino acids in plants, which includes new insights and aspects of D-amino acids, metabolism and transport in soybean, changes during energy storage compound accumulation of microalgae, and determination of amino acids from natural compounds. Section 3 describes the chapters on methodologies and requirement of dietary amino acids for Japanese quails, laying hens, and finishing pigs. The final chapter identifies potential importance of glutathione S-transferase activity for generating resistance to triclabendazole in Fasciola hepatica.

Global climate change affects crop production through altered weather patterns and increased environmental stresses. Such stresses include soil salinity, drought, flooding, metal/metalloid toxicity, pollution, and extreme temperatures. The variability of these environmental conditions pared with the sessile lifestyle of plants contribute to high exposure to these stress factors. Increasing tolerance of crop plants to abiotic stresses is needed to fulfill increased food needs of the population. This book focuses on methods of improving plants tolerance to abiotic stresses. It provides information on how protective agents, including exogenous phytoprotectants, can mitigate abiotic stressors affecting plants. The application of various phytoprotectants has become one of the most effective approaches in enhancing the tolerance of plants to these stresses. Phytoprotectants are discussed in detail including information on osmoprotectants, antioxidants, phytohormones, nitric oxide, polyamines, amino acids, and nutrient elements of plants. Providing a valuable resource of information on phytoprotectants, this book is useful in diverse areas of life sciences including agronomy, plant physiology, cell biology, environmental sciences, and biotechnology.

Since its introduction in 1943 Recommended Dietary Allowances has become the accepted source of nutrient allowances for healthy people. These Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are used throughout the food and health fields. Additionally, RDAs serve as the basis for the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances, the Food and Drug Administration's standards for nutrition labeling of foods. The 10th Edition includes research results and expert interpretations from years of progress in nutrition research since the previous edition and provides not only RDAs but also "Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intakes"â€"provisional values for nutrients where data were insufficient to set an RDA. Organized by nutrient for ready reference, the volume reviews the function of each nutrient in the human body, sources of supply, effects of deficiencies and excessive intakes, relevant study results, and more. The volume concludes with the invaluable "Summary Table of Recommended Dietary Allowances," a convenient and practical summary of the recommendations.

Covers the basic knowledge of the regulation of biosynthesis of various amino acids in plants and the application of this knowledge to the discovery of novel inhibitors of amino acid biosynthesis and for enhancing the nutritional value of plant products. Provides an exhaustive list of pathway inhibitors.

The life of proteins starts and ends as amino acids. In addition to the primary function as protein building blocks, amino acids serve multiple other purposes to make a plant's life worth living. This is true especially for the amino acids of the glutamate family, namely glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), proline (Pro) and arginine (Arg), as well as the product of Glu decarboxylation, ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Synthesis, accumulation, interconversion and degradation of these five compounds contribute in many ways to the regulation of plant development and to responses to environmental challenges. Glu and Gln hold key positions as entry points and master regulators of nitrogen metabolism in plants, and have a pivotal role in the regulatory interplay between carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Pro and GABA are among the best-studied compatible osmolytes that accumulate in response to water deficit, yet the full range of protective functions is still to be revealed. Arg, with its exceptionally high nitrogen-to-carbon ratio, has long been recognized as a major storage form of organic nitrogen. Most of the enzymes involved in metabolism of the amino acids of the glutamate family in plants have been identified or can be predicted according to similarity with animal or microbial homologues. However, for some of these enzymes the detailed biochemical properties still remain to be determined in order to understand activities in vivo. Additionally, uncertainties regarding the subcellular localization of proteins and especially the lack of knowledge about intracellular transport proteins leave significant gaps in our understanding of the metabolic network connecting Glu, Gln, Pro, GABA and Arg. While anabolic reactions are distributed between the cytosol and chloroplasts, catabolism of the amino acids of the glutamate family takes place in mitochondria and has been implicated in fueling energy-demanding physiological processes such as root elongation, recovery from stress, bolting and pollen tube elongation. Exceeding the metabolic functions, the amino acids of the glutamate family were recently identified as important signaling molecules in plants. Extracellular Glu, GABA and a range of other metabolites trigger responses in plant cells that resemble the actions of Glu and GABA as neurotransmitters in animals. Plant homologues of the Glu-gated ion channels from mammals and protein kinase signaling cascades have been implicated in these responses. Pollen tube growth and guidance depend on GABA signaling and the root architecture is specifically regulated by Glu. GABA and Pro signaling or metabolism were shown to contribute to the orchestration of defense and programmed cell death in response to pathogen attacks. Pro signaling was additionally proposed to regulate developmental processes and especially sexual reproduction. Arg is tightly linked to nitric oxide (NO) production and signaling in plants, although Arg-dependent NO-synthases could still not be identified. Potentially Arg-derived polyamines constitute the missing link between Arg and NO signaling in response to stress. Taken together, the amino acids of the glutamate family emerge as important signaling molecules that orchestrate plant growth and development by integrating the metabolic status of the plant with environmental signals, especially in stressful conditions. This research topic collects contributions from different facets of glutamate family amino acid signaling or metabolism to bring together, and integrate in a comprehensive view the latest advances in our understanding of the multiple functions of Glu-derived amino acids in plants.

This book provides a global overview of pulse intake and future trends from a variety of perspectives. Pulses, which include dried beans, peas and lentils, are second only to grains as a source of food for the world’s population. Contributors from around the globe explore a number of issues related to this food group, including their impact on global health and sustainability, the relationship between pulse intake and chronic disease, and their nutritional and gastrointestinal benefits. The primary purpose of the volume is to explore the nutritional and health benefits of pulses (starchy legumes) as a sustainable food source. Initial chapters focus on the role of pulses in complementary feeding and in the prevention of malnutrition in infants and children in the developing nations of Africa. Authors also consider the feasibility and sustainable properties of pulses as a staple food for these regions. Subsequent chapters focus on the association between pulse intake and chronic disease risk reduction. Contributors identify the unique contributions of pulses, versus legumes as a whole, to chronic disease risk and management. Additional chapters provide a comprehensive review of the nutrient contents of pulses, their bioavailability, and the nutritional impact of pulse consumption. The book also explores the phytochemicals contained in pulses from two perspectives, the traditional perspective of risk (e.g. anti-nutrients) and a nutraceutical perspective, focused on the novel benefits of pulse components (e.g. antioxidants). The editor has designed the book for students, faculty, and research scientists, as well as practicing dietitians. Members of the pulse industry, grower associations, and government agencies also will find the information relevant to their work, as will those in the private sector employed by food companies with an interest in pulse ingredients.

The book that started a revolution in the way Americans eat The extraordinary book that taught America the social and personal significance of a new way of eating is still a complete guide for eating well in the twenty-first century. Sharing her personal evolution and how this groundbreaking book changed her own life, world-renowned food expert Frances Moore Lappé offers an all-new, even more fascinating philosophy on changing yourself—and the world—by changing the way you eat. The Diet for a Small Planet features: • simple rules for a healthy diet • streamlined, easy-to-use format • food combinations that make delicious, protein-rich meals without meat • indispensable kitchen hints—a comprehensive reference guide for planning and preparing meals and snacks • hundreds of wonderful recipes