The Agronomy And Economy Of Turmeric And Ginger

Turmeric has been used as a medicine, a condiment, and a dye since at least 600 B.C., while ginger has been used extensively throughout history for its medicinal purposes. The Agronomy and Economy of Turmeric and Ginger brings these two important plants together in one reference book, explaining their history, production techniques, and nutritional and medicinal properties in detail. This book is intuitively organized by plant and use, allowing quick access to information. It puts the uniquely Indian use and history of turmeric and ginger plants into a global context of production and economic aspects. It explores the plants from a botanical perspective, and goes into details of their chemical composition as well. Rounding out the book are chapters on disease and pest control issues. The book is a valuable resource for those involved in the production and marketing of these plants, as well as those looking for more information on the medicinal and nutritional properties of turmeric and ginger. The first book to bring together extensive information about turmeric and ginger Incorporates medicinal, nutritional and agricultural aspects of the two plants Offers a global perspective

This book discusses the various aspects, from production to marketing of turmeric and ginger, the world’s two most important and invaluable medicinal spice crops. The book begins with their origin and history, global spread, and goes on to describe the botany, production agronomy, fertilizer practices, pest management, post-harvest technology, pharmacology and nutraceutical uses. The book presents the economy, import-export and world markets involved with reference to turmeric and ginger. It would be a benchmark and an important reference source for scientists, students, both undergraduate and post graduate, studying agriculture and food sciences and policy makers. It would be of great interest to professionals and industry involved in spice trade.

Superfoods have come to the forefront of the public imagination due to a combination of presumed health benefits and cultural mystique. Much of the literature on these foods, however, is based upon rostrums and diet plans that accept the health claims of superfoods without subjecting them to rigorous scrutiny. Superfoods: Cultural and Scientific Perspectives examines these food products from a blended science and cultural viewpoint, presenting a balanced, evidence-based view of each food item. Following a discussion of “superfoods” as a category, the book’s chapters examine individual superfoods, including but not limited to: avocados, chocolate, wine, berries, and fish oil. Presented in a systemic manner, each chapter provides a cultural history of the superfood; a survey of the current state of nutritional research on the food and its health claims; an exploration of related science topics to enhance understanding of the superfood, (i.e., a survey of the botany, biology, or chemistry studies); social issues associated with the superfood, such as sustainability, environmental health concerns, agricultural issues, fair trade and marketing issues; and one to three recipes featuring the superfood. This combination of scientific and cultural perspectives makes Superfoods an invaluable reference for academics, industry professionals, and lay-readers alike.

Essential Oils: Extraction, Characterization and Applications covers sixteen essential oils from different herbal and aromatic plants, including production, composition and extraction techniques such as distillation, chemistry and properties, characterization and applications. The book also presents their safety, toxicity and regulation, alongside trade, storage, stability and transport concepts. Essential oils in plants, extraction and analysis, and current trends in the use of essential oils, like aroma therapy, agro-food and non-food usage are thoroughly explored. Remaining chapters are dedicated to different essential oils, including lavender, peppermint, sandalwood, citrus, eucalyptus, tea tree, clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosewood, juniper and pine, patchouli, clary, and more. Edited by a global team of experts in essential oils, this book is designed to be a practical tool for the many diverse professionals who develop and market essential oils. Thoroughly explores the extraction and characterization of essential oils Contains comprehensive information on major, popular essential oils Provides an exceptional range of information on properties, applications, safety, toxicity and regulations

Aromatic Herbs in Food: Bioactive Compounds, Processing, and Applications thoroughly explores three critical dimensions: properties of bioactive compounds, recovery and applications. The book covers the most trending topics in herbs’ applications, putting emphasis on the health components of spices and herbs, their culinary use, their application for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders, quality and safety requirements for usage in foods, processing, extraction technologies, green extraction technologies, encapsulation of recovered bioactives, applications and interactions with food components, applications as food supplements for weight loss, usage in active food packaging, the applications of rosemary and sage extracts, and much more. This book is ideal for food scientists, technologists, engineers and chemists working in the whole food science field. In addition, nutrition researchers working on food applications and food processing will find the content very valuable. Covers all the important aspects of herbs, such as properties, processing, recovery issues and their applications Brings the health components of spices and herbs, their culinary use and applications for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders Explores herbs’ processing, extraction technologies, green extraction technologies, encapsulation of recovered bioactives, applications, and interactions with food components

During the last decade or so the extent of natural ingredients used by the cosmetics industry has increased, but there is no comprehensive publication on beauty products based on forest products, although scattered information does exist. By bringing attention to the role of forests in supplying beauty products and the connections with livelihood security and utilization of NWFPs, awareness of the importance of forests and their connection with cosmetics will be raised. Within this context, FAO and the Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) Asia have conducted this regional assessment of NWFPs related to the cosmetics and fragrance sector. The study compiled a set of case studies that examined specific NWFPs and the various traditional contexts in which they are collected, processed and marketed. The main objective of this volume is to present the case studies and the emerging synthesis, while encouraging cross-sectoral discussions in Asia on forests and beauty products. The study also provides recommendations on further enhancing equitable arrangements between forest communities and industry players. The initiative also organized a mini-seminar on forest product contributions to the cosmetics industry as part of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Week 2016 in Clark, Pampanga, the Philippines.

Spices are used in small quantities to add flavor, aroma, color, and texture in food preparation. However, spices and condiments have also been recognized as having medicinal value. They have been used traditionally as curative and preventive agents, the bioactive compounds obtained from these plants are used in herbal drug formulations in modern times. Medicinal Spice and Condiment Crops provides a comprehensive overview on the medicinal properties of spices and condiments with focus on various phytochemicals derived from them. KEY FEATURES: • Examines spices and condiments with respect to their biology, diversity, distribution, and pharmacological values. • Explores the scientific validations of the therapeutic potentials of spice and condiment plant species. • Discusses the bioactive agents involved in alleviating symptoms of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, ulcers, skin disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. • Explains specific medicinal features of spice and condiment-producing plant species inspiring research, discovery, and safe herbal drug formulation. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this book is useful for plant scientists, economic botanists, those who work with herbal and complementary medicine, as well as people working in the pharmaceutical industry.