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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.

    • Understanding Consumers of Food Products

      • 1st Edition
      • December 22, 2006
      • Lynn Frewer + 1 more
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 0 0 9 0
      • eBook
        9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 2 5 0 6
      In order for food businesses, scientists and policy makers to develop successful products, services and policies, it is essential that they understand food consumers and how they decide which products to buy. Food consumer behaviour is the result of various factors, including the motivations of different consumers, the attributes of specific foods, and the environment in which food choices occur. Recognising diversity between individual consumers, different stages of life, and different cultural contexts is increasingly important as markets become increasingly diverse and international.The book begins with a comprehensive introduction and analysis of the key drivers of consumer food choices, such as the environment and sensory product features. Part two examines the role of consumers’ attitudes towards quality and marketing, and their views on food preparation and technology. Part three covers cultural and individual differences in food choice as well as addressing potentially influential factors such as age and gender. Important topics such as public health and methods to change consumers’ preferences for unhealthy foods are discussed in part four. The final section concludes with advice on developing coherent safety policies and the consumers’ responsibility for food production and consumption.Understa... consumers of food products is a standard reference for all those in the food industry concerned with product development and regulation.
    • Olive Oil

      • 2nd Edition
      • May 4, 2006
      • Dimitrios Boskou
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 1 8 9 3 9 9 7 8 8 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 1 2 8 0 4 3 5 4 7
      A staple food for thousands of years for the inhabitants of the Mediterranean region, olive oil is now becoming popular among consumers all over the world. Olive oil differs from other vegetable oils because it is used in its natural form and has unique flavor and other characteristics. More and more research suggests its healthful benefits including reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Olive Oil is a compact and readable text on the most important aspects of chemistry, technology, quality, analysis and biological importance of olive oil. The topics selected have been developing rapidly in recent years, and will provide the reader with a background to address more specific problems that may arise in the future. Readers can expect more contributors and chapters in the 2nd edition, as well as a glossary.
    • Insect Ecology

      • 2nd Edition
      • February 27, 2006
      • Timothy D. Schowalter
      • English
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 5 0 8 8 1 8
      Dr. Timothy Schowalter has succeeded in creating a unique, updated treatment of insect ecology. This revised and expanded text looks at how insects adapt to environmental conditions while maintaining the ability to substantially alter their environment. It covers a range of topics- from individual insects that respond to local changes in the environment and affect resource distribution, to entire insect communities that have the capacity to modify ecosystem conditions.Insect Ecology, Second Edition, synthesizes the latest research in the field and has been produced in full color throughout. It is ideal for students in both entomology and ecology-focused programs.
    • Soil Respiration and the Environment

      • 1st Edition
      • August 15, 2006
      • Luo Yiqi + 1 more
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 0 8 8 7 8 2 8
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 3 9 7 1
      The global environment is constantly changing and our planet is getting warmer at an unprecedented rate. The study of the carbon cycle, and soil respiration, is a very active area of research internationally because of its relationship to climate change. It is crucial for our understanding of ecosystem functions from plot levels to global scales. Although a great deal of literature on soil respiration has been accumulated in the past several years, the material has not yet been synthesized into one place until now. This book synthesizes the already published research findings and presents the fundamentals of this subject. Including information on global carbon cycling, climate changes, ecosystem productivity, crop production, and soil fertility, this book will be of interest to scientists, researchers, and students across many disciplines.
    • Integrative Plant Biochemistry

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 40
      • July 18, 2006
      • John Romeo
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 9 7 4 3 1 6
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 5 1 2 5 1
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 4 8 0 0
      The publication of this volume marks the 40th anniversary of the Recent Advances in Phytochemistry series which has essentially documented a history of the origins of Phytochemistry. The 45th annual meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA) was held July 13-August 3, 2005 in La Jolla, California, USA. The meeting was hosted by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The theme of the meeting was – Integrative Plant Biochemistry as we Approach 2010. The focus was "to celebrate the past accomplishments of the PSNA and its focus, the growing importance of phytochemistry and plant biochemistry to the public, and to set a course for the future, by linking the past with the present and attracting a wider breath of scientists and disciplines to the society." Integrative Plant Biochemistry summarizes a number of important methodological approaches and innovative techniques that were discussed at the meeting: Biosynthesis and Regulation of Signaling Molecules Conservation and Divergence in Enzyme Function Translational Opportunities in Plant Biochemistry Temporal and Spatial Regulation of Metabolism Lipids, Fatty Acids and Related Molecules Metabolic Networks Each chapter in this volume concludes with a short summary and addresses the expected future directions of the work. The series marks the transition and progression of the dramatic integration of classical phytochemistry into molecular plant biology.
    • Insect Ecology

      • 3rd Edition
      • April 10, 2006
      • Timothy D. Schowalter
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 8 1 3 5 1 0
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 8 1 3 5 2 7
      The third edition of Insect Ecology: An Ecosystem Approach provides a modern perspective of insect ecology that integrates two approaches traditionally used to study insect ecology: evolutionary and ecosystem. This integration substantially broadens the scope of insect ecology and contributes to prediction and resolution of the effects of current environmental changes, as these affect and are affected by insects. The third edition includes an updated and expanded synthesis of feedback and interactions between insects and their environment. This updated material and a new chapter on applications of insect ecology to social and environmental issues effectively demonstrates how evolutionary and ecosystem approaches complement each other, with the intent of stimulating further integration of these approaches in experiments that address insect roles in ecosystems. Effective management of ecosystem resources depends on evaluation of the complex, often complementary, effects of insects on ecosystem conditions, as well as insect responses to changing conditions.
    • Maximising the Value of Marine By-Products

      • 1st Edition
      • November 30, 2006
      • Fereidoon Shahidi
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 0 1 3 7
      • eBook
        9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 2 0 8 7
      Despite declining stocks, a major portion of the harvest of fish and marine invertebrates is discarded or used for the production of low value fish meal and fish oil. Marine by-products, though, contain valuable protein and lipid fractions as well as vitamins, minerals and other bioactive compounds which are beneficial to human health. Devising strategies for the full utilization of the catch and processing of discards for production of novel products is therefore a matter of importance for both the fishing industry and food processors. Maximising the value of marine by-products provides a complete review of the characterisation, recovery, processing and applications of marine-by products.Part one summarises the physical and chemical properties of marine proteins and lipids and assesses methods for their extraction and recovery. Part two examines the various applications of by-products in the food industry, including health-promoting ingredients such as marine oils and calcium, as well as enzymes, antioxidants, flavourings and pigments. The final part of the book discusses the utilization of marine by-products in diverse areas such as agriculture, medicine and energy production.With its distinguished editor and international team of authors, Maximising the value of marine by-products is an invaluable reference for all those involved in the valorisation of seafood by-products.
    • Microbiological Analysis of Red Meat, Poultry and Eggs

      • 1st Edition
      • November 30, 2006
      • G Mead
      • English
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 0 5 9 5
      • eBook
        9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 2 5 1 3
      Red meat, poultry and eggs are, or have been, major global causes of foodborne disease in humans and are also prone to microbiological growth and spoilage. Consequently, monitoring the safety and quality of these products remains a primary concern. Microbiological analysis is an established tool in controlling the safety and quality of foods. Recent advances in preventative and risk-based approaches to food safety control have reinforced the role of microbiological testing of foods in food safety management.In a series of chapters written by international experts, the key aspects of microbiological analysis, such as sampling methods, use of faecal indicators, current approaches to testing of foods, detection and enumeration of pathogens and microbial identification techniques, are described and discussed. Attention is also given to the validation of analytical methods and Quality Assurance in the laboratory. Because of their present importance to the food industry, additional chapters on current and developing legislation in the European Union and the significance of Escherichia coli 0157 and other VTEC are included.Written by a team of international experts, Microbiological analysis of red meat, poultry and eggs is certain to become a standard reference in the important area of food microbiology.
    • Agriculture's Ethical Horizon

      • 1st Edition
      • February 14, 2006
      • Robert L Zimdahl
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 7 0 5 1 1 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 1 1 2 0
      What are the goals of agricultural science? What should the goals of agricultural science be? How do and how should the practitioners of agriculture address complex ethical questions? These questions are explored in this monumental book so that those in agriculture will begin an open dialoge on the ethics of agriculture. Discussion of foundational values, of why we practice agriculture as we do, should become a central, rather than peripheral, part of agricultural practice and education. If agricultural scientists do not venture forth to understand and shape the ethical base of the future, it will be imposed by others. Largely autobiographical, this book covers topics such as scientific truth and myth, what agricultural research should be done, an introduction to ethics, moral confidence in agriculture, the relevance of ethics to agriculture, sustainability, and biotechnology.
    • Naturally Occurring Bioactive Compounds

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 3
      • September 25, 2006
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 5 9 4 4 9
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 2 2 4 1 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 4 9 2 3
      This timely book provides an overview of natural products/botanicals used for the management of insect-pest and diseases. It will help readers to update and widen their knowledge about natural products and their bio-activities against plant pathogens. The volume explores activity, chemistry, toxicity and geographic distribution of plants. Discussions concerning the methodology used for the detection of active principles, their mode of action and commercial prospects are of utmost importance and worthy of note.