Plant Secondary Metabolites (eBook)

Alan Crozier is Professor of Plant Biochemistry and Human Nutrition in the Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow, UK, Mike Clifford is Professor of Food Safety in the School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at the University of Surrey, UK, and Hiroshi Ashihara is Professor of Plant Biochemistry in the Department of Biology at Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan. Contributors to the book: Dr Michael H Beale Dr Kirsten Brandt Dr Lars P Christensen Dr Jennifer L Donovan Professor Peter J Facchini Dr Richard M Faulks Professor Glenn R Gibson Dr Andrew J Humphrey Dr Indu B Jaganath Dr Paul A Kroon Dr David K Liscombe Dr Claudine Manach Dr Serena Marks Professor Richard Mithen Dr Michael Saltmarsh Dr Kieran M Tuohy Dr Takao Yokota Dr Katherine G Zulak

Contributors.

1 Phenols, Polyphenols and Tannins: An Overview (AlanCrozier, Indu B. Jaganath and Michael N. Clifford).

1.1 Introduction.

1.2 Classification of phenolic compounds.

1.3 Biosynthesis.

1.4 Genetic engineering of the flavonoid biosyntheticpathway.

1.5 Databases.

2 Sulphur-Containing Compounds (RichardMithen).

2.1 Introduction.

2.2 The glucosinolates-myrosinase system.

2.3 Chemical diversity of glucosinolates in dietarycrucifers.

2.4 Biosynthesis.

2.5 Genetic factors affecting glucosinolate content.

2.6 Environmental factors affecting glucosinolate content.

2.7 Myrosinases and glucosinolate hydrolysis.

2.8 Hydrolytic products.

2.9 Metabolism and detoxification of isothiocyanates.

2.10 The Alliin-alliinase system.

2.11 Biological activity of sulphur-containing compounds.

2.12 Anti-nutritional effects in livestock and humans.

2.13 Beneficial effects of sulphur-containing compounds in thehuman diet.

3 Terpenes (Andrew J. Humphrey and Michael H.Beale).

3.1 Introduction.

3.2 The biosynthesis of IPP and DMAPP.

3.3 Enzymes of terpene biosynthesis.

3.4 Isoprenoid biosynthesis in the plastids.

3.5 Isoprenoid biosynthesis in the cytosol.

3.6 Terpenes in the environment and human health: futureprospects.

4 Alkaloids (Katherine G. Zulak, David K. Liscombe,Hiroshi Ashihara and Peter J. Facchini).

4.1 Introduction.

4.2 Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids.

4.3 Tropane alkaloids.

4.4 Nicotine.

4.5 Terpenoid indole alkaloids.

4.6 Purine alkaloids.

4.7 Pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

4.8 Other alkaloids.

4.9 Metabolic engineering.

5 Acetylenes and Psoralens (Lars P. Christensen andKirsten Brandt).

5.1 Introduction.

5.2 Acetylenes in common food plants.

5.3 Psoralens in common food plants.

5.4 Perspectives in relation to food safety.

6. Functions of the Human Intestinal Flora: The Use ofProbiotics and Prebiotics (Kieran M. Tuohy and Glenn R.Gibson).

6.1 Introduction.

6.2 Composition of the gut microflora.

6.3 Successional development and the gut microflora in oldage.

6.4 Modulation of the gut microflora through dietary means.

6.5 In vitro and in vivo measurement of microbialactivities.

6.6 Molecular methodologies for assessing microflorachanges.

6.7 Assessing the impact of dietary modulation of the gutmicroflora-does it improve health, what are the likelihoods forsuccess and what are the biomarkers of efficacy?

6.8 Justification for the use of probiotics and prebiotics tomodulate the gut flora composition.

7 Secondary Metabolites in Fruits, Vegetables, Beverages andOther Plant-Based Dietary Components (Alan Crozier, TakaoYokota, Indu B. Jaganath, Serena Marks, Michael Saltmarsh andMichael N. Clifford).

7.1 Introduction.

7.2 Dietary phytochemicals.

7.3 Vegetables.

7.4 Fruits.

7.5 Herbs and spices.

7.6 Cereals.

7.7 Nuts.

7.8 Algae.

7.9 Beverages.

7.10 Databases.

8 Absorption and Metabolism of Dietary Plant SecondaryMetabolites (Jennifer L. Donovan, Claudine Manach, RichardM. Faulks and Paul A. Kroon).

8.1 Introduction.

8.2 Flavonoids.

8.3 Hydroxycinnamic acids.

8.4 Gallic acid and ellagic acid.

8.5 Dihydrochalcones.

8.6 Betalains.

8.7 Glucosinolates.

8.8 Carotenoids.

8.9 Conclusions.

Index.

"This book provides an excellent in-depth overview of the major
plant secondary metabolities which have been inverstigated for
health effects in recent years ... I believe this book will be of
interest to a wide array of readers, including plant biologists,
nutritional biochemists, public health scientists and medical
doctors, who need an overview of natural products and the pathways
of their formation." (The Biochemist, 1 February 2012)



"I'd strongly recommend this book for a variety of scientists.
Not only is it up to date, but it is also very readable. The topics
are related to the real world of food science in an effective way.
Most scientists (including graduate students) in areas of study
related to chemistry, biology and food science will find the book
of value and a good investment." Chemistry World

"The information in the book is recent and easy to
locate...would serve well as a textbook for graduate
students...as well as a good reference source."
Inform

"Of great value for botanists looking for basic information
about plant chemical compounds." Folia Geobotanica

"I'd strongly recommend this book for a variety of scientists. Not
only is it up to date, but it is also very readable. The topics are
related to the real world of food science in an effective way. Most
scientists (including graduate students) in areas of study related
to chemistry, biology and food science will find the book of value
and a good investment."

Chemistry World

"The information in the book is recent and easy to
locate...would serve well as a textbook for graduate
students...as well as a good reference source."

Inform