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Plant Secondary Metabolites - Occurence, Structure and Role in the Human Diet
Edited by Alan Crozier, Mike Clifford and Hiroshi Ashihara
Blackwell
November 2006
Hardback 384 pp., 185 illu. ISBN 9781405125093
£99.00
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Plant secondary metabolites have been a fertile area of chemical investigation for many years,
driving the development of both analytical chemistry and of new synthetic reactions and methodologies.
The subject is multi-disciplinary with chemists, biochemists and plant scientists all contributing to our current
understanding. In recent years there has been an upsurge in interest from other disciplines, related to the
realisation that secondary metabolites are dietary components that may have a considerable impact on
human health, and to the development of gene technology that permits modulation of the contents of desirable
and undesirable components.
Plant Secondary Metabolites: Occurrence, Structure and Role in the Human Diet addresses this wider
interest by covering the main groups of natural products from a chemical and biosynthetic perspective with
illustrations of how genetic engineering can be applied to manipulate levels of secondary metabolites of
economic value as well as those of potential importance in diet and health. These descriptive chapters
are augmented by chapters showing where these products are found in the diet, how they are metabolised
and reviewing the evidence for their beneficial bioactivity.
Contents
1 Phenols, Polyphenols and Tannins: An Overview
Introduction
Classification of phenolic compounds
Biosynthesis
Databases
References
2 Sulphur-Containing Compounds
Introduction
The glucosinolates-myrosinase system
Chemical diversity of glucosinolates in dietary crucifers
Biosynthesis
Genetic factors affecting glucosinolate expression
Environmental factors affecting glucosinolate expression
Myrosinases and glucosinolate hydrolysis
Hydrolytic Products
Metabolism and detoxification of isothiocyanates
The Alliin-alliinase system
Biological activity of sulphur-containing compounds
Anti-nutritional effects in livestock and humans.
Beneficial effects of sulphur-containing compounds products in the human diet
References
3 Terpenes
Introduction
The biosynthesis of IPP and DMAPP
Enzymes of terpene biosynthesis
Isoprenoid biosynthesis in the plastids
Isoprenoid biosynthesis in the cytosol
Terpenes in the environment and human health: future prospects
References
4 Alkaloids
Introduction
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
Tropane alkaloids
Nicotine
Terpenoid indole alkaloids
Purine alkaloids
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Other alkaloids
Metabolic engineering
References
5 Polyacetylenes and Psoralens
Introduction
Acetylenes in common food plants
Distribution and biosynthesis
Psoralens in common food plants
Perspectives in relation to food safety
References
6 Functions of the Human Intestinal Flora: The Use of Probiotics and Prebiotics
Introduction
Composition of the gut microflora
Successional development and the gut microflora in old age
Modulation of the gut microflora through dietary means
In vitro and in vivo measurement of microbial activities
Molecular methodologies for assessing microflora changes
Assessing the impact of dietary change of the gut microflora - does it improve health, what are the
likelihoods for success, biomarkers of success?
Justification for the use of probiotics and prebiotics to modulate the gut flora composition
References
7 Secondary Metabolites in Fruits, Vegetables, Beverages and Other Plant-Based Dietary Components
Introduction
Dietary phytochemicalsVegetablesFruits
Herbs and Spices
Cereals
Nuts
Algae
Beverages
Databases
References
8 Absorption and Metabolism of Plant Secondary Metabolites
Introduction
Flavonoids
Hydroxycinnamic acids
Gallic acid and ellagic acid
Dihydrochalcones
Betalains
Glucosinolates
Carotenoids
Conclusions
References
To find similar publications, click on a keyword below:
Blackwell
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: alkaloids
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: nutrition, human
: phenolics
: plant science
: probiotics
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