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Books in Agricultural and biological sciences

The Agricultural and Biological Sciences collection advances science-based knowledge for the improvement of animal and plant life and for secure food systems that produce nutritious, novel, sustainable foods with minimal environmental impact. Food Science titles include not only those products from agriculture but all other aspects from food production to nutrition, health and safety, chemistry to security, policy, law and regulation. Biological Sciences address animal behaviour and biodiversity, organismal and evolutionary biology, entomology, marine biology and aquaculture, plant science and forestry.

    • Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention

      • 2nd Edition
      • Juana Frías + 2 more
      • English
      Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention, Second Edition examines the significance of fermented foods to public health. The book presents the latest scientific evidence, showing the health-promoting components produced upon fermentation from a diversity of food matrices. The content includes the definition and characterization of traditional and innovative fermented foods, their mechanisms of action, and the evidence for effects on health and disease in humans. Putative health effects associated with direct interactions between the ingested live microorganisms and the host (probiotic effect), or indirectly, through ingestion of microbial metabolites and products of fermentation (biogenic effect) are discussed.This book will provide the food industry with new insights on the development of value-added fermentation, while also presenting nutritionists and dieticians with a useful resource to help them develop strategies to assist in the prevention of disease or to slow its onset and severity.
    • Cutting-Edge Technology for Plant Metabolite Profiling in Drug Discovery and Quality Control

      • 1st Edition
      • Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar + 4 more
      • English
      Cutting-Edge Technology for Plant Metabolite Profiling in Drug Discovery and Quality Control presents an in-depth overview of innovative approaches in plant metabolomics, focusing on their practical integration into industry. The book examines advanced techniques such as metabolic engineering, metabolite imaging, NMR analysis, microfluidics, and computational bioinformatics. These methods are crucial for identifying and optimizing bioactive compounds in plants, reflecting the growing demand for natural products and plant-derived therapeutics. Through detailed case studies, readers gain insight into real-world applications and scenarios, making this resource invaluable for professionals aiming to enhance accuracy and efficiency in metabolite profiling.In addition to pharmaceutical applications, the book explores the use of plant metabolomics in crop improvement, archaeological studies, cosmetic development, and food quality assurance. It offers a multidisciplinary perspective, highlighting the significant impact of plant metabolites across sectors such as molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, and biochemistry. Specialists in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture will find this comprehensive guide essential for staying abreast of the latest advances and understanding the broad implications of plant metabolite research.
    • Food Industry 5.0

      Components, Opportunities, and Challenges
      • 1st Edition
      • Abdo Hassoun
      • English
      Food Industry 5.0: Components, Opportunities, and Challenges explores the innovative technologies set to transform the future of food production and processing. The book opens by defining the principles of Food Industry 5.0, emphasizing human-centricity, resilience, and sustainability as its core foundations. Readers are introduced to a range of cutting-edge advancements—such as regenerative conversational AI, the Internet of Everything, miniaturized sensors, cobots, advanced drones, and 4D printing—that are expected to shape the landscape of tomorrow’s food industry. These technologies promise to drive efficiency, adaptability, and greater integration between humans and machines.The book is structured in three parts: the first provides an overview of Food Industry 5.0’s foundational concepts; the second examines the enabling technologies and their evolution from Food Industry 4.0; while the third addresses challenges in technology adoption and highlights future research directions. This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights for researchers, scholars, and students interested in the intersection of advanced technology and the food sector, making it a key resource for understanding the next wave of industry transformation.
    • Starch Conjugates

      Properties and Applications
      • 1st Edition
      • Aayushi Deepak Kadam + 1 more
      • English
      Starch Conjugates: Properties and Applications a volume in the Applications of Starches in Food and Packaging Series, compiles the latest research findings, methodologies, and case studies of starch conjugates synthesis techniques and applications across different industries, such as Food, Agriculture, Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Engineering. The book brings detailed analysis and practical insights into the synthesis, characterization, and utilization of starch conjugates, ultimately fostering innovation and an eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials, driving advancements in materials science and technology. Practical case studies and real-world examples offer practical guidance to researchers and industry professionals, aiding them in developing and implementing starch conjugate-based solutions. The book also serves as a problem-solving resource for those facing challenges in utilizing starch conjugates, offering strategies, best practices, and expert advice to overcome obstacles and optimize outcomes. With contributions from experts across various disciplines, the book provides an interdisciplinary perspective, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers and professionals from different backgrounds.
    • Non-Native Species

      Understanding the Impacts on Ecosystems and Societies
      • 1st Edition
      • Andrei Alyokhin
      • English
      Presently, virtually no areas on Earth remain sheltered from the arrival and establishment of non-native plants, insects, and animals, in large part due to human activities. Failure to address this issue may have dire consequences, including disruption of vital ecological processes, loss of agricultural, forestry, and fishery resources, and even serious disease epidemics within human populations. At the same time, most non-native species are not invasive, and attempts to eradicate them may themselves result in environmental, economic, and even social damage. Non-Native Species: Understanding the Impacts on Ecosystems and Societies provides a comprehensive introduction to the issues surrounding invasion biology, which is a prominent, but sometimes controversial, area of applied biology. It will cover the mechanisms of natural and human-mediated biological invasions, their consequences from ecological, economic, political, and ethical perspectives, and discuss management options available for prevention and/or mitigation of the negative impacts of invasive species.Written by an entomologist who studies invasive insects and plants and has spent over 20 years teaching a course on biological invasions, Non-Native Species: Understanding the Impacts on Ecosystems and Societies offers anecdotes, insights, and case studies from the author’s own work and research. This book is an ideal reference for early career researchers with an interest in invasion ecology, or an ideal course companion for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels enrolled in courses on invasive species, non-native species, or biological invasions, particularly those who plan to major, minor, or concentrate in entomology.
    • Geomicrobiology of Río Tinto

      A Terrestrial Mars Analogue
      • 1st Edition
      • Ricardo Amils
      • English
      Geomicrobiology of Río Tinto: A Terrestrial Mars Analogue provides the most detailed biological and geological characterizations of one of Earth's best terrestrial Mars analogues. The acidic waters of Río Tinto and the high metal content of its sediments have given rise to a unique biodiversity. Understanding the geochemical and mineralogical conditions that have shaped the evolution of these extremophiles is essential to guiding the selection of sites for meaningful missions to Mars. Edited by a renowned astrobiologist with contributions from global experts with applied experience in Mars exploration missions, this book is systematically structured for a wide audience. Sections delve into the physical characteristics and biological diversity of Río Tinto, its suitability as a terrestrial Mars analogue, and the fundamentals and applications of geomicrobiology. Geomicrobiology of Río Tinto: A Terrestrial Mars Analogue provides its interdisciplinary audiences with the fundamentals to understand the paleontological record of the system, the diversity existing in its water column, the biological activities responsible for its extreme conditions, and their biotechnological applications and relevance to future exploration missions to the red planet. This is an essential read for astrobiologists, aquatic biologists, geomicrobiologists, paleontologists, and biotechnologists alike.
    • Plant Proteins

      Nutritional Aspects and Processing Applications
      • 1st Edition
      • Nisar Ahmad Mir + 1 more
      • English
      Plant Proteins: Nutritional Aspects and Processing Applications explores the innovative methods used to extract and refine plant proteins, emphasizing their impact on nutrition, wellness, and new product creation. The book examines a range of advanced techniques—including fermentation, radiation, and ball-milling—that reveal how plant protein structure and functionality can be enhanced. Each process plays a unique role in improving food flavor, texture, and shelf-life. Readers will gain valuable insights into the science behind plant-based proteins, including their role in the development of meat alternatives and their influence on digestive health and the human microbiome.The authors also highlight nano-reduction technology for plant proteins, discussing its potential in delivering bioactive compounds and improving overall health outcomes. Finally, it addresses the growing market demand for sustainable, palatable, and cost-effective plant-based products, which is driving research into both traditional and novel protein sources. With its blend of technical detail and practical application, this resource is essential for anyone interested in the future of plant-based foods and their nutritional benefits.
    • Systems Biology in Crop Improvement

      Emerging Tools and Technologies
      • 1st Edition
      • Tariq Aftab
      • English
      Systems Biology in Crop Improvement offers a detailed overview of how principles and methodologies from systems biology are transforming crop research and breeding. This volume, part of the Systems Biology in Agriculture and Plant Sciences series, explores the integration of omics technologies, computational modeling, and high-throughput phenotyping to deepen our understanding of plant responses and traits.Addressing the urgent challenge of feeding a growing global population, the book emphasizes how systems biology enables insights into molecular, genetic, and environmental interactions that influence a crop’s traits and performance. It discusses applications ranging from stress resilience—abiotic and biotic—to nutrient use efficiency, nutritional enhancement, and quality markers. The volume highlights innovative strategies such as genomic editing and synthetic biology, and how these advances can be translated into practical breeding programs.Bringing together contributions from leading researchers and practitioners, Systems Biology in Crop Improvement aims to inspire new collaborations, innovations, and discoveries, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and robust food system for future generations.
    • Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management

      Advantages, Challenges and Further Improvement
      • 1st Edition
      • Indrajeet Kumar + 3 more
      • English
      Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management: Advantages, Challenges and Further Improvement offers a compelling and comprehensive exploration of sustainable agricultural waste management. Each chapter delves into crucial aspects of organic waste, ranging from its ecological impacts to innovative solutions and policy considerations with the goal of providing both currently actionable insights and inspiring additional research and development. Including diverse perspectives throughout, the book leads the reader from understanding the ecological dynamics of agricultural waste to exploring circular economy tactics and technological innovations, offering a well-rounded view of the field. The inclusion of topics such as bioactive compounds, biochar solutions, clean energy production, and nanotechnology applications provides practical insights and potential avenues for addressing agricultural waste challenges in agricultural waste management. Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management caters to advanced students, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and environmental advocates working in sustainable waste management.
    • Sustainable Cropping Systems Under a Changing Climate

      • 1st Edition
      • Mukhtar Ahmed
      • English
      Sustainable Cropping Systems Under a Changing Climate explores how climate change is reshaping agriculture and highlights the urgent need for resilient, adaptive, and sustainable farming practices. As extreme weather, rising temperatures, and resource pressures threaten food security, this volume offers practical pathways to transform agricultural systems.Bringing together leading research, real-world case studies, and innovative strategies, this book addresses vulnerabilities and opportunities in modern farming. It covers sustainability principles, climate-smart practices, and the roles of soil health, biodiversity, conservation agriculture, organic farming, agroforestry, regenerative approaches, and plant–microbe interactions in enhancing resilience. Special focus is given to intensive systems such as rice–wheat and rainfed agriculture, particularly in the Global South.With an interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on both scientific evidence and practical application, this volume bridges a critical gap by supporting informed decision-making at farm, institutional, and policy levels. It is a timely resource for researchers, agronomists, extension professionals, and others seeking to future-proof agriculture through nature-based and technological solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.