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Understanding metalloids and the potential impact they can have upon crop success or failure Metalloids have a complex relationship with plant life. Exhibiting a combination of metal and non-metal characteristics, this small group of elements – which includes boron (B), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and tellurium (Te) – may hinder or enhance the growth and survival of crops. The causes underlying the effects that different metalloids may have upon certain plants range from genetic variance to anatomical factors, the complexities of which can pose a challenge to botanists and agriculturalists of all backgrounds. With Metalloids in Plants, a group of leading plant scientists present a complete guide to the beneficial and adverse impacts of metalloids at morphological, anatomical, biochemical, and molecular levels. Insightful analysis of data on genetic regulation helps to inform the optimization of farming, indicating how one may boost the uptake of beneficial metalloids and reduce the influence of toxic ones. Contained within this essential new text, there are: * Expert analyses of the role of metalloids in plants, covering their benefits as well as their adverse effects * Explanations of the physiological, biochemical, and genetic factors at play in plant uptake of metalloids * Outlines of the breeding and genetic engineering techniques involved in the generation of resistant crops Written for students and professionals in the fields of agriculture, botany, molecular biology, and biotechnology, Metalloids in Plants is an invaluable overview of the relationship between crops and these unusual elements.

Rare, unique and irreplaceable - precious native rainforests occupy a precariously small part of Australia while retaining a remarkable level of both biological and chemical diversity unrivalled by any other ecosystem. Australia's ancient history and traditions are intimately intertwined with the rainforest plants that humans have utilised as both food and medicine.Phytochemistry of Australia's Tropical Rainforest is a record of this history and details how our understanding of these plants has led to the discovery of anaesthetics, analgesics, steroids, antimalarials and more. It provides an insight into the habitat, ecology and family associations of hundreds of species and explores their future therapeutic potential, alongside phytochemical studies of the ancient plant lineages. Toxicological evaluations of important poisonous plants are also included.Rainforests provide shelter for unique flora and fauna that are counted among the rarest species on Earth, many of which are illustrated in this book. This comprehensive work is an essential reference for phytochemists, ethnobotanists and those with an interest in rainforests and their medicinal and botanical potential.

The new edition of Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology uses elementary chemistry, physics, and mathematics to explain and develop key concepts in plant physiology. In fundamental ways, all physiological processes that occur in cells, tissues, organs, and organisms obey such relations. Topics include diffusion, membranes, water relations, ion transport, photochemistry, bioenergetics of energy conversion, photosynthesis, environmental influences on plant temperature, and gas exchange for leaves and whole plants. This new edition maintains the unparalleled commitment to clear presentation and improves upon the user friendliness of the previous versions.

The pharmacopoeias of most African countries are available and contain an impressive number of medicinal plants used for various therapeutic purposes. Many African scholars have distinguished themselves in the fields of organic chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacognosy and other areas related to the study of plant medicinal plants. However, until now, there is no global standard book on the nature and specificity of chemicals isolated in African medicinal plants, as well as a book bringing together and discussing the main bioactive metabolites of these plants. This book explores the essence of natural substances from African medicinal plants and their pharmacological potential. In light of possible academic use, this book also scans the bulk of African medicinal plants extract having promising pharmacological activities. The book contains data of biologically active plants of Africa, plant occurring compounds and synthesis pathways of secondary metabolites.This book explores the essence of natural substances from African medicinal plants and their pharmacological potentialThe authors are world reknowned African Scientists.

Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing, Second Edition is the most comprehensive guide on vegetable technology for processors, producers, and users of vegetables in food manufacturing.This complete handbook contains 42 chapters across two volumes, contributed by field experts from across the world. It provides contemporary information that brings together current knowledge and practices in the value-chain of vegetables from production through consumption. The book is unique in the sense that it includes coverage of production and postharvest technologies, innovative processing technologies, packaging, and quality management. Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing, Second Edition covers recent developments in the areas of vegetable breeding and production, postharvest physiology and storage, packaging and shelf life extension, and traditional and novel processing technologies (high-pressure processing, pulse-electric field, membrane separation, and ohmic heating). It also offers in-depth coverage of processing, packaging, and the nutritional quality of vegetables as well as information on a broader spectrum of vegetable production and processing science and technology. Coverage includes biology and classification, physiology, biochemistry, flavor and sensory properties, microbial safety and HACCP principles, nutrient and bioactive properties In-depth descriptions of key processes including, minimal processing, freezing, pasteurization and aseptic processing, fermentation, drying, packaging, and application of new technologies Entire chapters devoted to important aspects of over 20 major commercial vegetables including avocado, table olives, and textured vegetable proteins This important book will appeal to anyone studying or involved in food technology, food science, food packaging, applied nutrition, biosystems and agricultural engineering, biotechnology, horticulture, food biochemistry, plant biology, and postharvest physiology.

Many herbs and spices, in addition to their culinary use for taste, contain chemical compounds which have medicinal uses. For this reason, herbsand spices have been used for treating various ailments since ancient times.Modern scientific methods have enabled researchers to isolate bioactivecompounds from herbs and spices and perform chemical analyses, which can beused to develop medicines to treat different diseases. This book series is acompilation of current reviews on studies performed on herbs and spices. Scienceof Spices and Culinary Herbs is essential reading for medicinalchemists, herbalists and biomedical researchers interested in the science ofnatural herbs and spices that are common part of regional diets and folkmedicine. The second volume of this series features 6 reviews of unique herbs andseeds: 1. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.): A Review of itsUse as a Spice, a Culinary Herb and Medicinal Applications2. Piper nigrum (Black pepper): A Flavor for Health3. Coriander Seeds –Ethno-medicinal, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile4. The Fenugreek Seed: Therapeutic Properties and Applications5. Biological Activities ofFoeniculum vulgare Mill6. Exploration of DillSeeds (Anethum graveolens): AnAyurpharmacomic Approach

Learn how medicinal plants work from the chemical level upward Understanding Medicinal Plants: Their Chemistry and Therapeutic Action is designed to teach the chemical concepts necessary to understand the actions of medicinal plants to people who are intimidated by chemistry. This beautifully illustrated, accessibly written guide explores the molecules of medicinal plants and the pharmacology behind their actions on the human body. The book will be valuable to non-science majors, biology majors, interested scientists of different disciplines, and practitioners and students of herbalism and complementary medicine. Understanding Medicinal Plants covers the essentials, including: understanding the symbolism of chemical structure bonding—and predicting useful properties important plant compounds isolation and purification of plant molecules drug delivery and action in the human body the chemistry of antioxidants identification of plant molecules Interest in alternative medicine and herbal products has never been higher than it is now. Understanding Medicinal Plants aims for the middle ground between technical manuals for highly trained individuals and books for the general public that may oversimplify the material. This introductory work provides you with a wealth of suggested reading materials, tables, figures, and illustrations. Three case studies illustrate specific plant drugs and their molecular constituents. This resource also provides an extensive glossary for easy reference. In Understanding Medicinal Plants, you will find a lexicon of medicinally important chemical families found in plants to help you identify and understand the role of constituents such as: alkaloids flavonoids coumarins glycosides amino acids lignans tannins and many more Understanding Medicinal Plants enriches your knowledge of the science behind herbalism and increases your savvy as a consumer of herbal products. This sourcebook will help you better understand the debates about the regulation of medicinal plants and related health care policy debates. With this book, you will be able to interpret media hype about medicinal plants with greater confidence. Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Interpreting the Symbolism of Chemical Structures, or, Finding Your Way Around a Molecule The Basic Rules of Bonding What Do the Lines Mean? Recognizing the Functional Groups Naming Molecules Sameness: Molecular Formulas and Isomers Chapter 3. The Origins of Bonding and Molecular Properties Elements, Atoms, and the Periodic Table Electron Configurations: The Real Organizing Principle Bonding to Create Molecules Predicting Properties from Molecular Structure Chapter 4. A Structural Lexicon of Medicinally Important Chemical Families Found in Plants Compounds of Primary Metabolism Secondary Metabolites Chapter 5. Chemical Behavior and Its Application to Medicinal Molecules Isolation of Medicinally Active Substances Analysis and Identification of Medicinal Molecules Antioxidants and Reactive Oxygen Species: Chemical Reactions Affecting Health Chapter 6. Drug Delivery and Action Delivering Drug Molecules Where Drugs Act: Targets The Molecular Level of Action Chapter 7. Case Studies of Selected Plant Drugs Ayahuasca and the Central Nervous System Ginkgo and Brain Health Cancer Treatments from Plants: Interrupting the Cell Cycle Epilogue Notes Glossary Bibliography Index