Gums, resins and latexes are a most widely used and traded category of non-wood forest products. The uses of gums embrace food, pharmaceutical and miscellaneous technical applications. Resins have an equally diverse range of applications including their use in paints, varnishes and lacquers, and flavours and fragrances. Latexes are used in specialised applications such as insulating materials and in the manufacture of golf balls and chewing gum. There has been a decline in their use due to competition from synthetic products. This document contains a review of the production, markets and developmental potential of a number of gums, resins and latexes.

This reference book provides a comprehensive overview of natural gums, resins, and latexes of plants with a focus on their chemistry, biological activities, and practical uses. The content is divided into five main sections each of which contains chapters contributed from valuable experts in their field. Naturally occuring plant products have quite diverse applications in many different industries. The book aims to highlight the important aspects of plant-based gums, resins and latexes as well as provide a strategic framework for further research and development activities on these bioproducts. It will appeal to a broad audience such as biologists, pharmacologists, pharmacists, food technologists and medical practitioners. It is also a useful resource for research investigators of the healthcare industry, academia and students of biomedical sciences.

This valuable reference will be useful for both scholars and general readers. It is both botanical and cultural, describing the role of plant in social life, regional customs, the arts, natural and covers all aspects of plant cultivation and migration and covers all aspects of plant cultivation and migration. The text includes an explanation of plant names and a list of general references on the history of useful plants.

This publication is intended to serve researchers and teachers as well as development practitioners. It was prepared based on requests from CIFOR’s national partners in Ethiopia and the region to compile existing information and help address the lack of documents available for teaching graduate and undergraduate students about the management of forests in dryland areas in general, and the production and marketing of gums and resins in particular.

Considered magicians of the ingredient world, gums (hydrocolloids) are used in a variety of food applications. They possess excellent thickening, binding, emulsifying, suspension, and viscosity properties. The first comprehensive reference produced on gums in 60 years, this work is organized by taxonomy. Each entry contains the botanical name and synonyms of the tree from which it is exuded, common names, geographic distribution, chemical characteristics and structural features, physical properties, and industrial and food applications. The uses of other parts of the trees from which the gums originate are also detailed. Entries are illustrated with color photos and line drawings.

Ionotropic Cross-Linking of Biopolymers: Applications in Drug Delivery provides in-depth insights and presents the latest advances in ionotropic cross-linked biopolymeric systems for drug delivery and related applications. Sections introduce the fundamentals of ionotropic cross-linking of biopolymers, including mechanisms, chemistry, cross-linking methods and gelation. Additional content delves into ionotropically cross-linked biopolymers based on a range of sources, including alginate, pectinate, carboxymethyl cellulose, gellan gum, chitosan, carboxymethylated gums, plant polysaccharide blends, and synthetic polymer blends. This is followed by a section focusing on ionotropically cross-linked biopolymeric systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles, microparticles, beads, and reinforced matrices.The last part of the book explores specific advanced drug delivery applications, before considering future opportunities and challenges in the field. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students across polymer science, biomaterials, biomedicine, pharmaceutics, biotechnology, and chemistry, as well as scientists and R&D personnel working in pharmacy, drug delivery, and materials for biomedicine. - Explains chemistry, mechanisms, preparation methods and applications of biopolymeric systems - Covers a range of biopolymer sources, including alginate, pectinate, gellan gum, chitosan, and others - Guides the reader to cutting-edge applications in drug delivery, drug release, cell delivery and tissue engineering

This book provides the whole spectrum of polysaccharides from basic concepts to commercial market applications. Chapters cover various types of sources, classification, properties, characterization, processing, rheology and fabrication of polysaccharide-based materials and their composites and gels. The applications of polysaccharides include in cosmetics, food science, drug delivery, biomedicine, biofuel production, marine, packaging, chromatography and environmental remediation. It also reviews the fabrication of inorganic and carbon nanomaterials from polysaccharides. The book incorporates industrial applications and will fill the gap between the exploration works in the laboratory and viable applications in related ventures.

Der erste Leitfaden zu den Funktionen, Strukturen und Anwendungen natürlicher Hydrokolloide. Heutzutage liegt der Nachdruck auf einer gesundheitsbewussten Lebensweise und Ernährung. Die Nachfrage nach natürlichen Lebensmitteln wächst ständig, und natürliche Hydrokolloide sind so beliebt wie nie zuvor. Sie dienen als Dickungsmittel, Stabilisatoren, Geliermittel, Fettersatz und Bindemittel. Als natürliche, pflanzenbasierte Polymere erfüllen sie eine Vielzahl der Funktionen handelsüblicher Inhaltsstoffe wie Xanthan, Guar, Gummiarabikum, Pektin und Stärke. Darüber hinaus bieten sie aufgrund der häufig enthaltenen aktiven biologischen Stoffe und ballaststoffreichen Zusammensetzung gesundheitliche Vorteile. Sie können präbiotische Wirkung haben und den Cholesterinspiegel senken. Die Anwendung diese neuartige Hydrokolloide ist noch immer unzureichend erforscht. Emerging Natural Hydrocolloids möchte hier Abhilfe schaffen und bietet einen fundierten Überblick über strukturell-funktionale Zusammenhänge, rheologische Aspekte und die potenzielle Nützlichkeit insbesondere in der Lebensmittel- und Pharmaindustrie. Dieses praktische Nachschlagewerk - bietet einen umfassenden und aktuellen Überblick über die derzeit verfügbaren Forschungsergebnisse zu natürlichen Hydrokolloiden. - untersucht die Hauptfunktionen und rheologischen Aspekte neuartiger Hydrokolloide. - informiert über mögliche Anwendungen von Biopolymeren in Lebensmitteln und Arzneistoffen. - zeigt die Zusammenarbeit international tätiger Lebensmittelwissenschaftler. Emerging Natural Hydrocolloids: Rheology and Functions bietet Wissenschaftlern, Ingenieuren, Technologen und Forschern einen einzigartigen und tiefen Einblick in die Welt neuartiger Hydrokolloide, deren Anwendungen, Eigenschaften und möglicher Vorteile.

Forests and Forest Plants is a component of Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. Forests are an essential part of Earth's life support systems. Forest resources are essential for humankind. They provide both vital goods and services. They provide food, fuel, shelter, soil and water protection, and filter the air we breathe. This publication on Forest and Forest Plants provides the user with such information as to create an awareness of the value of our forestlands and the products and environmental services they provide. The three volumes on Forests and Forest Plants are organized starting with first the necessity of : the World's Forest Resources – including classification and distribution of forest, urban forestry and agroforestry; Important Tree Species including trees in reclamation and arid zone forestry; Forests and Forest Products including wood and non word products; the Role of Forests in the Biosphere – preserving biological diversity, functions in the hydrological cycle, etc.; and Conservation and Breeding of Forest Trees – what is being done to improve our forest resources - silviculture, tree nurseries, and forest protection. The theme Forest and Forest Plants has led to the conclusion that there are substantial difficulties in matching environmental concerns and sustainability with an ever-increasing world population. Thus there is a tension between maximizing for food, wood and production on the one hand and implementing sustainable development and environmental protection on the other. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs.