Bio-Farms for Nutraceuticals (eBook)

MARIA TERESA GIARDI, PhD, is a Research Manager at the National Council of Research (CNR) in Rome, Italy. Her background is in organic-industrial chemistry, and she has extensive experience in molecular biology; modification of photosystem II to increase its resistance to high temperature and sensitivity to radiation; signal transduction in optical and electrochemical biosensors; protein stabilization and utilization in biosensor design, and analytical procedures in general. She is a referee for the US Department of Agriculture for industrial projects. She has worked in various research institutions and research and development companies both in Europe and the USA. She is a supervisor or coordinator of a number of national and international projects in the field of biosensors: European Agency Life V project, 20xx-2004; a European Space Agency project involving space flight in 2005; a NATO “linkage grant”, dedicated to sensors based on plant and microrganisms. GIUSEPPINA REA, PhD, is a molecular biologist and is on the permanent staff of CNR-IC. She is an expert in the molecular mechanisms involved in plant defense responses and has many years of experience in plant molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology and protein engineering techniques. She is project monitor of the CNR project Biotechnological Applications of Oxygenic Photosynthetic Organisms in the Agro-food Field and Space Environment, and the EU projects Multibioplat and Sensbiosyn, aimed at producing bacteria and algae with improved photosynthetic performance to exploit them in biological farms for nutraceutical applications and biosensing elements in biosensor development. Her research activities are mainly focused on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Rhodobacter sphaeroides. She is advisor to several PhD students in Plant Biotechnology working in the fields of exobiology, nutraceutics and biosensors. BRUNO BERRA, PhD, received his academic degree in Chemistry from the University of Pavia, Italy. He is Professor f.r. of Biochemistry at the University of Milan and works at the Department of Molecular Sciences Applied to Biosystems in the Faculty of Pharmacy. During his active teaching career he taught Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Nutrition Biochemistry and Cosmetology. His most important research areas include: isolation, fractionation, purification and analysis of glycolipids from brain, extranervous tissues and biological fluids; biochemical diagnosis of sphingolipidosis and follow-up of Gaucher’s patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy; nutritional biochemistry with reference to fats and antioxidants; membrane component studies in spontaneous or induced degenerative processes, with particular reference to solid and tumor cells; skin biochemistry and molecular biology of the skin; and space biology. He is a member of numerous national and international scientific organisations including the Italian Society of Biochemistry (1957-2004), the Italian Society for Fat Research, the International Conference of Biochemistry of Lipids (ICBL), the Euro Fed Lipid, the American Oil Chemist’s Society, and the American Society of Diabetes.

1. The Nutra?Snacks Project: Basic Research and Biotechnological Programs on Nutraceutics
Giuseppina Rea, Amina Antonacci, Maya Lambreva, Andrea Margonelli, Cecilia Ambrosi and Maria Teresa Giardi
Abstract
Rationale of the Nutra?Snacks Project
Technological Innovations
Conclusion
2. Overview of Diet?Gene Interactions and the Example of Xanthophylls
Barbara Demmig?Adams and William W. Adams, III
Abstract
Introduction: Overview of Diet?Gene Interaction in Human Disease
A Case Study: Xanthophylls and Their Synergism with Other Dietary Factors in Human Health—Protection against Eye Disease and Other Chronic Diseases
Dietary Sources of Zeaxanthin and Lutein and Their Potential Enhancement
3. Therapeutic Potential of Dietary Polyphenols against Brain Ageing and Neurodegenerative
Disorders
Giovanni Scapagnini, Calogero Caruso and Vittorio Calabrese
Abstract
Introduction
Curcumin
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester
Ethyl Ferulate
Epigallocatechin?3?Gallate
Conclusion
4. Plant Phenolics in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer
Klaus W.J. Wahle, Iain Brown, Dino Rotondo, and Steven D. Heys
Abstract
Epidemiology of Plant Foods and Disease Incidence
Anticancer Phytochemicals in Foods, Beverages and Spices
Classification and Occurrence of Plant Phenolic Compounds
Cellular Mechanisms Modified by Plant Phenolics That Can Reduce Carcinogenesis and Tumour Progression
Conclusion
5. Endogenous Antioxidants and Radical Scavengers
Angela Maria Rizzo, Patrizia Berselli, Stefania Zava, Gigliola Montorfano, Manuela Negroni, Paola Corsetto and Bruno Berra
Abstract
Introduction
Endogenous Antioxidant Molecules
Reactive Oxygen Species: Always Bad?
Conclusion
6. A Nutritional Strategy for Reducing Disease and Obesity Risks
Teresa Lavecchia, Paolo Petroni, Giuseppe Rodio and Riccardo Pina
Abstract
Introduction
The Zone Diet Nutrition Strategy: General Outline
Conclusion
7. Dietary Phytochemicals and Human Health
Justyna Krzyzanowska, Anna Czubacka and WieslawOleszek
Abstract
Introduction
Carotenoids
Phenolic Compounds
Phytoestrogens
Polyunsatured Fatty Acids
Conjugated Linoleic Acids
Tocopherols and Tocotrienols
Limonene
Allicin and Diallyl Disulfide
Glucosinolates
Capsacinoids
Conclusion
8. Bioactive Compounds from Northern Plants
Anja Hohtola
Abstract
Introduction
How External Factors Influence the Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites
Research and Exploitation
Examples of Northern Plants Containing Bioactive Compounds
Conclusion
9. Nutraceutical Use of Garlic Sulfur?Containing Compounds
Eleftherios Touloupakis and Demetrios F. Ghanotakis
Abstract
Introduction
Garlic Chemical Compounds
Garlic Biological Activities
Alliin and Allicin
Garlic Alliinase
Garlic Supplements
Layered Double Hydroxides
Alginates
Conclusion
10. Genetic Engineering to Enhance Crop?Based Phytonutrients (Nutraceuticals) to Alleviate Diet?Related Diseases
Autar K. Mattoo, Vijaya Shukla, Tahira Fatima, Avtar K. Handa and Surender K. Yachha
Abstract
Introduction
Diet and Human Diseases
Phytonutrients and Antiproliferative Activity
Genetic Engineering to Improve Nutrient (Nutraceutical) Content in Produce
Proteins and Amino Acids
Carotenoids
Folates
Vitamin C (Ascorbate)
Polyphenolics
Tocopherols
Iron
Conclusion
11. Perspective for the Use of Genetic Transformants in Order to Enhance the Synthesis of the Desired Metabolites: Engineering Chloroplasts of Microalgae for the Production of Bioactive Compounds
Udo Johanningmeier and Dirk Fischer
Abstract
Introduction
Microalgae as Transgenic Bioreactors
Genetic Engineering of Plant and Microalgal Chloroplasts
Expression of Recombinant Proteins in C. reinhardtii Chloroplasts
Application to Food Technology
Conclusion
12. Biological Elicitors of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Mode of Action and Use in the Production of Nutraceutics
Simone Ferrari
Abstract
Introduction
Biological Elicitors of Defence Responses in Plants
Perception and Transduction of General Elicitors
Emerging Techniques to Improve