Handbook Of Phytonutrients In Indigenous Fruits And Vegetables

The effects of inadequate diets on the population include malnutrition, non-communicable diseases and obesity. 'Hidden hunger', also known as micronutrient deficiencies, leads to various health-related disorders and diseases. Indigenous plants, in the form of indigenous fruits and leafy vegetables are gaining interest as a source of nutrients and bioactive phytochemicals, satisfying both food demand and health needs. Moreover, with the impact of climate change, and the importance of sustainability of food systems, it is essential that we investigate new, forgotten and alternative crops that can thrive in harsh conditions, require low fertilizer input, and are easily harvestable. This is an essential resource for academic researchers and industry professionals in the fields of horticulture, agriculture, crop science, human health and nutrition.

Phytochemicals are plant derived chemicals which may bestow health benefits when consumed, whether medicinally or as part of a balanced diet. Given that plant foods are a major component of most diets worldwide, it is unsurprising that these foods represent the greatest source of phytochemicals for most people. Yet it is only relatively recently that due recognition has been given to the importance of phytochemicals in maintaining our health. New evidence for the role of specific plant food phytochemicals in protecting against the onset of diseases such as cancers and heart disease is continually being put forward. The increasing awareness of consumers of the link between diet and health has exponentially increased the number of scientific studies into the biological effects of these substances. The Handbook of Plant Food Phytochemicals provides a comprehensive overview of the occurrence, significance and factors effecting phytochemicals in plant foods. A key of objective of the book is to critically evaluate these aspects. Evaluation of the evidence for and against the quantifiable health benefits being imparted as expressed in terms of the reduction in the risk of disease conferred through the consumption of foods that are rich in phytochemicals. With world-leading editors and contributors, the Handbook of Plant Food Phytochemicals is an invaluable, cutting-edge resource for food scientists, nutritionists and plant biochemists. It covers the processing techniques aimed at the production of phytochemical-rich foods which can have a role in disease-prevention, making it ideal for both the food industry and those who are researching the health benefits of particular foods. Lecturers and advanced students will find it a helpful and readable guide to a constantly expanding subject area.

The processing of fruits continues to undergo rapid change. In the Handbook of Fruits and Fruit Processing, Dr. Y.H. Hui and his editorial team have assembled over forty respected academicians and industry professionals to create an indispensable resource on the scientific principles and technological methods for processing fruits of all types. The book describes the processing of fruits from four perspectives: a scientific basis, manufacturing and engineering principles, production techniques, and processing of individual fruits. A scientific knowledge of the horticulture, biology, chemistry, and nutrition of fruits forms the foundation. A presentation of technological and engineering principles involved in processing fruits is a prelude to their commercial production. As examples, the manufacture of several categories of fruit products is discussed. The final part of the book discusses individual fruits, covering their harvest to a finished product in a retail market. As a professional reference book replete with the latest research or as a practical textbook filled with example after example of commodity applications, the Handbook of Fruits and Fruit Processing is the current, comprehensive, yet compact resource ideal for the fruit industry.

Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry, Nutritional Value and Stability provides scientists in the areas of food technology and nutrition with accessible and up-to-date information about the chemical nature, classification and analysis of the main phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables – polyphenols and carotenoids. Special care is taken to analyze the health benefits of these compounds, their interaction with fiber, antioxidant and other biological activities, as well as the degradation processes that occur after harvest and minimal processing.

This book summarizes recent advances in the chemistry, bioactivity, nutrition, and functional aspects of dietary phytochemicals, as well as the health and functional aspects of foods rich in phytochemicals. Consisting of forty-four chapters, it discusses the different chemical types of phytochemicals in our diets and food and presents data collected from animal or human experiments that are directly related to human health. Each chapter covers the chemistry, epidemiological study, bioavailability, bioactivity (animal experiments) function in humans and safety, as well as products on the market. Moreover, the more than 200 figures make it easy to grasp the main findings in each area.

Natural foods such as fruits and vegetables are among the most important foods of mankind as they are not only nutritive but are also indispensable of the maintenance of the health. India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. Fertile soils, a dry climate, clean water and abundant sunlight help the hard working farmers to produce a bountiful harvest. Although there are many similarities between fruits and vegetables, there is one important difference that affects the way that these two types of crop are processed like fruits are more acidic than vegetables. Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food or to transform food into other forms for consumption. Food processing typically takes clean, harvested crops or butchered animal products and uses these to produce attractive, marketable and often long shelf-life food products. Canning is a method of preserving food in which the food is processed and sealed in an airtight container. Food preservation is the process of treating and handling food to stop or greatly slow down spoilage (loss of quality, edibility or nutritive value) caused or accelerated by micro organisms. One of the oldest methods of food preservation is by drying, which reduces water activity sufficiently to prevent or delay bacterial growth. Drying also reduces weight, making food more portable. Freezing is also one of the most commonly used processes commercially and domestically for preserving a very wide range of food including prepared food stuffs which would not have required freezing in their unprepared state. Fruits and vegetable processing in India is almost equally divided between the organized and unorganized sector, with the organized sector holding 48% of the share. The present book covers the processing techniques of various types of fruits, vegetables and other food products. This book also contains photographs of equipments and machineries used in fruits, vegetables and food processing along with canning and preservation. This book is an invaluable resource for new entrepreneurs, food technologists, industrialists etc.

Now in two volumes and containing more than seventy chapters, the second edition of Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry, Nutritional Value and Stability has been greatly revised and expanded. Written by hundreds of experts from across the world, the chapters cover diverse aspects of chemistry and biological functions, the influence of postharvest technologies, analysis methods and important phytochemicals in more than thirty fruits and vegetables. Providing readers with a comprehensive and cutting-edge description of the metabolism and molecular mechanisms associated with the beneficial effects of phytochemicals for human health, this is the perfect resource not only for students and teachers but also researchers, physicians and the public in general.

Joe Urbach, the creator and publisher of GardeningAustin.com and the Phytonutrient Blog provides readers with a how-to guide to growing and purchasing the most healthy, most nutritious, most antioxidant-dense fruits and vegetables. Offers gardening and nutritional information, including how to improve your soil, your garden, and your health, allowing you to get the biggest nutritional bang for your gardening or shopping buck.