This reference work provides comprehensive information about the bioactive molecules presented in our daily food and their effect on the physical and mental state of our body. Although the concept of functional food is new, the consumption of selected food to attain a specific effect existed already in ancient civilizations, namely of China and India. Consumers are now more attentive to food quality, safety and health benefits, and the food industry is led to develop processed- and packaged-food, particularly in terms of calories, quality, nutritional value and bioactive molecules. This book covers the entire range of bioactive molecules presented in daily food, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, isoflavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, bioactive molecules presented in wine, beer and cider. Concepts like French paradox, Mediterranean diet, healthy diet of eating fruits and vegetables, vegan and vegetarian diet, functional foods are described with suitable case studies. Readers will also discover a very timely compilation of methods for bioactive molecules analysis. Written by highly renowned scientists of the field, this reference work appeals to a wide readership, from graduate students, scholars, researchers in the field of botany, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology and food industry to those involved in manufacturing, processing and marketing of value-added food products.

Wild fruits play an important role in mitigating hunger in the developing world. As a sustainable and natural food source in rural areas, these fruits have a strong effect on regional food security and poverty alleviation. This makes the utilization of wild foods incredibly important for native populations both in terms of food security and economics. There are many traditional methods for wild fruit harvesting, indigenous tree and plant domestication and cultivation passed down through generations that are sustainable and economically viable, ultimately contributing to a better quality of life for large sections of the developing world. To date there has not been a reference work focusing on the full scope of wild fruits from their growth and chemical makeup to their harvest, distribution, health effects and beyond. Wild Fruits: Composition, Nutritional Value and Products adequately fills this gap, expansively covering the utilization of multi-purpose wild fruits in regions worldwide. Effects on quality of life, food security, economics and health are extensively covered. Over 31 wild fruit species are examined, with individual chapters focusing on each species' phytochemical constituents, bioactive compounds, traditional and medicinal uses and chemical composition. Harvest, post-harvest and consumption methods are covered for each, as are their overall effect on the food security and economics of their native regions. This book is essential for researchers in search of a comprehensive singular source for the chemical makeups and cultivation of indigenous wild fruits and their many benefits to their native regions.

Exotic Fruits Reference Guide is the ultimate, most complete reference work on exotic fruits from around the world. The book focuses on exotic fruit origin, botanical aspects, cultivation and harvest, physiology and biochemistry, chemical composition and nutritional value, including phenolics and antioxidant compounds. This guide is in four-color and contains images of the fruits, in addition to their regional names and geographical locations. Harvest and post-harvest conservation, as well as the potential for industrialization, are also presented as a way of stimulating interest in consumption and large scale production. - Covers exotic fruits found all over the world, described by a team of global contributors - Provides quick and easy access to botanical information, biochemistry, fruit processing and nutritional value - Features four-color images throughout for each fruit, along with its regional name and geographical location - Serves as a useful reference for researchers, industrial practitioners and students

*Details on how to turn your Florida yard into a cornucopia of delicious fruit *Plants will succeed in every region of the state. *Profiles of more than 80 species ranging from familiar strawberry to obscure jaboticaba *Maps and fruiting calendars to help with planning.

This book provides a comprehensive review of the antioxidant value of widely consumed fruits. Each chapter covers the botanical description, nutritional & health properties of these popular fruits. Fruits are one of the most important indicators of dietary quality and offer protective effects against several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and various types of cancer. In order to effectively promote fruit consumption, it is necessary to know and understand the components of fruits. In addition to underscoring the importance of fruit consumption’s effects on human diet, the book addresses the characterization of the chemical compounds that are responsible for the antioxidant proprieties of various fruits. Given its scope, the book will be of interest to graduate and post-graduate students, research scholars, academics, pomologists and agricultural scientists alike. Those working in various fruit processing industries and other horticultural departments will also find the comprehensive information relevant to their work.

From beef to baked goods, fish to flour, antioxidants are added to preserve the shelf life of foods and ensure consumer acceptability. These production-added components may also contribute to the overall availability of essential nutrients for intake as well as the prevention of the development of unwelcome product characteristics such as off-flavours or colours. However, there are processes that reduce the amount of naturally occurring antioxidants and awareness of that potential is just as important for those in product research and development. There is a practical need to understand not only the physiological importance of antioxidants in terms of consumer health benefit, but how they may be damaged or enhanced through the processing and packaging phases. This book presents information key to understanding how antioxidants change during production of a wide variety of food products, with a focus toward how this understanding may be translated effectively to other foods as well. - Addresses how the composition of food is altered, the analytical techniques used, and the applications to other foods - Presents in-chapter summary points and other translational insights into concepts, techniques, findings and approaches to processing of other foods - Explores advances in analytical and methodological science within each chapter

The modern synthetic diet, formulated to appeal to our inherent attraction to sugar, salt, fats, and calories at the expense of nutrition, leaves us over-fed and under-nourished. A considerable portion of chronic human diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, appear to be related largely to a diet that is inadequate in the essential vitamins

This book provides researchers and advanced students associated with plant and pharmaceutical sciences with comprehensive information on medicinal trees, including their identification, morphological characteristics, traditional and economic uses, along with the latest research on their medicinal compounds. The text covers the ecological distribution of over 150 trees, which are characterized mainly on the basis of their unique properties and phytochemicals of medicinal importance (i.e., anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and possible anti-HIV compounds). Due to the incredibly large diversity of medicinal trees, it is not possible to cover all within one publication, so trees with unique medicinal properties that are relatively more common in many countries are discussed here in order to make it most informative for a global audience. With over 100 illustrations taken at different stages of plant development, this reference work serves as a tool for tree identification and provides morphological explanations. It includes the latest botanical research, including biochemical advancements in phytochemistry techniques such as chromatographic and spectrometric techniques. In addition, the end of each chapter presents the most up-to-date references for further sources of exploration.

Origin and distribution of tropical and subtropical fruits. Cashew apple and nut. Marula. Spondias: the red mombin and related fruits. Biriba. cherimoya. Sugar apple. Mangaba. Mountain papaya. Cupuassu. Breadfruit and jackfruit. Araza. jaboticaba. Carambola and bilimbi. Pejibae. Granadilla. Pomegranate. Calamansi or calamondin. Lucuma.