Reference Series in Phytochemistry – serie

This Reference Work provides a comprehensive overview of bioactive compounds found in underutilized fruits and nuts around the world and it elucidates their pharmacological, biological and health effects.

This reference work provides a comprehensive review of cell and tissue differentiation and its role in the formation of specific secondary metabolites.

This reference work provides an authoritative and comprehensive review of the latest developments in orchids’ biology, biotechnology and phytochemistry, and it also explores the applications of orchids in medicinal chemistry, nutrition and cosmetics industry.

It describes their pharmacological, biological and health effects in detail, and provides a strategic framework for further research and global development activities.Using a consistent structure and divided into 9 parts based on the plant source, the book reviews bioactive compounds in various plant species.

This book provides a comprehensive reference guide to plant-derived antioxidants, their beneficial effects, mechanisms of action, and role in disease prevention and improving general health (anti-ageing effect).

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.

This book comprehensively reviews the phytochemistry, functional properties, and health-promoting effects of bioactive compounds found in oil processing by-products, and it also explores the food and non-food applications of these by-products. Several oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits are cultivated for their oils and fats, wherein the oil extraction industry generates a huge amount of waste (meal or cake). The valorisation of this waste would be very beneficial not only from the economic and environmental perspectives, but also for the potential applications in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, in which phytochemicals derived from vegetable oil and oilseed processing by-products play an important role in, for instance, extending the shelf life of several products and providing added-value properties with their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.In this work, expert contributors discuss about the added-value of biowaste from common and non-traditional vegetable oils and oilseeds processing, as well as fruit oils processing, and offer an extensive overview of the different bioactive compounds found in extracts from oil processing by-products and their chemical composition. The book also collects several examples in which oil processing by-products are integrated into industrial activities such as food production, livestock production and in pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Professionals and scholars alike interested in the recycling of agro-industrial wastes derived from vegetable oil and oilseed processing by-products will find this book a handy reference tool.

This reference work covers general concepts of anti-viral metabolites, classifications, ethnopharmacology, chemistry, clinical and preclinical studies focusing on different medicinal plants against various types of viral infections. Various plants have been used in medicine since ancient times and are known for their strong therapeutic effects. The book will describe potential antiviral properties of medicinal plants against a diverse group of viruses, and provide an insight to the potential plants possess for broad-spectrum antiviral effects against emerging viral infections.The book aims to target a broad audience including virologists, molecular biologist, microbiologist and scientists working with natural products as well as researchers, students, healthcare experts involved in pharmaceutical and medical field.

This reference work provides a comprehensive overview of bioactive compounds investigated in bryophytes and pteridophytes and explores their nutritional, biological, pharmacological and ecological effects. Bryophytes are cosmopolitan lower plants that are rich in phytochemicals including fatty acids, tocopherols, phenolics, terpenoids. Additionally, these plants contain bibenzyls, bis-benzyls, and polyketides which have been demonstrated to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities. Pteridophytes are another group of lower vascular plants which were reported to have useful secondary compounds such as flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, terpenoids, and these plants impart medicinal values including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-HIV activities.This book contains comprehensive contributions compiled by expert scientists and researchers in this field.The book offers a useful resource for plant biotechnologists, plant biologists, pharmacologists, pharmacists, food technologists, nutritionists, research investigators of the healthcare industry, academia, faculty, and students of biology and biomedical sciences. It also provides a strategic framework for further research and development activities of bryophytes and pteridophytes of the world.

The content is divided into five main sections containing chapters written by valuable experts in their field : (1) beverages plants with caffeine and other methylxanthines, (2) beverage plants without caffeine, (3) fruits juices, (4) alcoholic beverage plants: non-distilled beverages and (5) alcoholic beverage plants: distilled beverages.

This book offers a comprehensive perspective of herbal medicine phytochemistry and explores the application of plant extracts as bioactive compounds in disease prevention and treatment in modern or traditional medicine. The book starts with an introduction to the history and value of herbal medicine, followed by 3 parts covering the main phytochemical components and metabolites in herbal medicine, different uses and practices in herbal medicine, including a region-wise analysis of methods and practices and an overview of regulations and policies for herbal medicinal practitioners, and the advances and challenges in quality assessment of herbal medicine.Plants generally have the tendency to bioaccumulate trace metals from the environment and they are easily contaminated by microorganisms from water sources and poor hygiene practices of the herbalist. Quality assessment and assurance is, thus, a pertinent challenge in herbal medicine practice (i.e., in remedy formulation and application), and this book offers an authoritative perspective on this topic, covering aspects such as quality control strategies, preparation techniques, chemical quantification in phytomedicine, and the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies. Moreover, in this book, readers will find valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the field, and a critical review of the application of medicinal plants to treat cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory neurological and reproductive diseases. Particular attention is given to the advances and trends in the field, and readers will learn about the latest biotechnological approaches, the use of nanotechnology in herbal medicine, metabolomic analysis of medicinal plants, big data application in herbal medicine, and the value of herbal medicine towards sustainability.Given its breadth, this book is aimed at researchers, academics, practitioners and professionals working in the fields of natural, life, health, clinical, and biomedical sciences, and interested in herbal remedies, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, human nutrition and dietetics, plant biology, and biotechnology/microbiology.

This book offers a comprehensive and authoritative review of bioactive substances found in plant underground stems, roots, rhizomes, corms, and tubers from all around the world.

This book offers a comprehensive and authoritative review of the biological and ecological roles played by specialized metabolites (secondary metabolites) in the life cycle of plants, and it also covers the latest biotechnological advances in metabolite production and various industrial applications.Divided into three parts, the book starts with an outline of the diverse biological effects of specialized metabolites on plant-microbe and plant-insect interactions, soil health, reproduction, and human welfare. In this first part, readers will find topics such as the Importance of Plant Secondary Metabolites in modern therapy, melatonin and inflammatory and immune-modulated diseases, antimicrobial and antiprotozoal potential of specialized metabolites, the use of plant specialized metabolites in aromatherapy, the role of tannins in cardiovascular diseases, a pharmacological perspective on isoflavones and noncommunicable diseases, algal secondary metabolites, and plant specialized metabolites used as aphrodisiacs. In Part II, chapters present an overview of the ecological roles played by plant specialized metabolites in pollination, plant defence, agriculture and weed management, among others.  In the third and final part of this book, readers will discover the latest biotechnological approaches for bioactive compound production and identification, including the discovery of bioactive specialized metabolites based on metabolomic approaches, and a perspective on the industrial applications of plant specialized metabolites.  Given its breadth, this book is of interest to botanists, biotechnologists, phytochemists, industrialists, environmentalists, biologists and all those involved in the production and use of secondary/specialized metabolites.

This handbook offers a comprehensive perspective of edible mushrooms' phytochemistry and explores the application of bioactive compounds from fungi in nutrition, medicine, and environmental sustainability. The book starts with an overview of edible mushrooms' bioactive compounds, followed by 5 parts covering the diversity, classification and taxonomy of common edible mushrooms, their environmental roles, sustainable harvesting practices, nutritional value and health benefits, and characterization and quality control of bioactive compounds. The book concludes with a perspective on emerging uses and trends in mushroom consumption utilization.In this book, readers will find valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the field, including how diverse edible mushroom species are used in culinary, medicinal, and ecological contexts. Particular attention is given to functional foods and the chemical composition of an extensive range of bioactive compounds in edible mushrooms, such as beta-glucans, polysaccharides, ergosterol, phenolic compounds, and triterpenoids. The book also explores the environmental impact of mushroom cultivation and the economic opportunities arising from the increasing demand for edible mushrooms and their bioactive compounds. Techniques and strategies for preserving mushrooms, detecting adulteration in the mushroom market, characterizing bioactive compounds, and ensuring quality control in production and distribution are thoroughly discussed.This comprehensive overview serves as an invaluable resource for a wide range of professionals, including researchers, healthcare practitioners, nutritionists, food technologists, and anyone interested in tapping into the potential of edible mushroom bioactive compounds for the improvement of health, nutrition, and sustainability.

This reference work offers a comprehensive overview of the chemistry and bioactivity of mangrove ecosystems, focusing on their specialized metabolites and biological activities. Through this volume, readers will discover the novel secondary metabolites from mangrove flora and their potential applications in various fields.The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including the phytochemistry and biological activities of specific mangrove species such as Acanthus ilicifolius, Avicennia marina, and Rhizophora mucronata. The chapter authors present an expert analysis of the bioactive compounds found in these species, exploring their pharmacological and toxicological properties. Particular attention is given to the anticancer activities of certain compounds, as well as the role of mangrove-associated bacteria and fungi in health management and bioremediation. Readers will also encounter discussions on the synthesis of nanomaterials from mangroves and their antimicrobial properties.This book is an essential resource for researchers, scholars, and practitioners in the fields of botany, pharmacology, and environmental science. It invites readers to think through critical questions about the ecological and medicinal significance of mangroves, offering diverse perspectives from expert contributors.

This reference work explores algae's role as one of the fastest-growing photosynthetic organisms with significant applications across various industries. Focusing on algae's secondary metabolites, this book offers evidence-based insights into algal research, emphasizing metabolism, cultivation, and the biological mechanisms of action of secondary metabolites in combating degenerative and microbial diseases such as diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and antimicrobial resistance. In this book, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these photosynthetic organisms can be harnessed for diverse benefits.Divided into seven sections, the book begins with an overview of algae’s metabolism and cultivation techniques, followed by a comprehensive coverage of algae’s primary and secondary metabolites, their synthesis and pathways. Subsequent sections cover a wide range of topics including the biological mechanisms of action of algal metabolites against microbial resistance, and the nutritional, agricultural, environmental, and industrial advantages of algae. Contributions from renowned scholars and experts across disciplines such as biology, botany, biochemistry, biotechnology, and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) enrich this work.Given its breadth, this book is a must-read for those interested in plant biotechnology, drug discovery and development, systems biology, and bioinformatics. It appeals to scholars, academics and professionals seeking to stay abreast of current trends and prospects within this dynamic area of research.

This handbook compiles authoritative information about fungal metabolites and their chemistry and biotechnology.

This handbook is written by leading experts and structured in different sections addressing the natural occurrence of glucosinolates, their (bio-)synthesis, bioactivity, food processing of glucosinolate-containing vegetables, health and disease-related aspects, biotechnology, and methods applied in glucosinolate-research.

The book introduces various substance classes of sweeteners, which are mainly plant-derived, including glycosidic and terpenoid sweeteners, peptidic sweeteners, sweet-tasting proteins and protein-derived sweeteners (e.g.

This handbook provides comprehensive reference information on the efficient production of secondary metabolites from plants by transgenesis and other genetic manipulation strategies. It reviews and summarizes selected important case studies in genetic methods applied to enhance the production of a given metabolite or a group of related or derived compounds. Readers will find reference information on a multitude of techniques and methods, including traditional breeding and screening; over-expression of genes encoding key enzymes; functional genomics approaches; metabolic engineering of the relevant biosynthetic pathways; indirect genetic approaches to improve metabolite production, including Agrobacterium mediated transformations. Furthermore, combinatorial biochemistry approaches to engineer secondary metabolic pathways are summarized, which can offer access to new structures or to the design of novel compounds.Since many commercially valuablesubstances are still extracted from plants, being largely inaccessible to efficient modern laboratory synthesis methods, this book provides a valuable resource of information for biotechnological approaches that can help to find alternative and more efficient methods for the production of natural secondary metabolites. Thus adjusted production methods, with the help of tailored plant systems, can potentially help to release the stress on plants, which are currently suffering from extensive human harvesting, and to conserve global biodiversity.Readers will find comprehensive reference information on plant genetic manipulation toward more efficient synthesis, accumulation and production of target secondary metabolites. The handbook will appeal to researchers and professionals, but also graduate students and scholars working in the fields of biotechnology, genetic engineering, medicinal plant research, pharmacy, and phytochemistry.

This handbook presents how plant in vitro technologies can overcome current limitations in the production of important plant-derived substances.

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.

This reference work presents an authoritative review of endophytes and their applications to human welfare. Endophytes have become a class of interesting and curious microorganisms due to their intimate intra- and intercellular association with plants for competence, survival and reproduction. They can be bacteria or fungi, and they are usually non-pathogenic to their host. Endophytes have important applications in agriculture and industry, namely, they can help with plant growth, act as biocontrol agents and biosurfactant and secondary metabolite producers, and they are also rich sources of bioactive natural products.Novel and beneficial effects of endophytes are constantly emerging, and this book, divided into four sections, provides readers with the latest developments in this fast expanding field. In the first section, readers will discover the biology of the major groups of endophytes, followed by a summary of conventional and molecular tools for endophytes’ identification in Section II. The production of high-value metabolites by endophytes will be explored in the third section of this book, and in the final section, readers will find several case studies, examples and prospects for endophytes’ application in agriculture and industry.Written by leading international authors, this reference work will appeal to a wide readership, from students and researchers in the field of botany, biotechnology and agriculture to professionals interested in the production and applications of endophytic metabolites.