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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.

  • The Stability and Shelf-Life of Food

    • 1st Edition
    • Persis Subramaniam + 1 more
    • English
    The stability and shelf-life of a food product are critical to its success in the market place, yet companies experience considerable difficulties in defining and understanding the factors that influence stability over a desired storage period. This book is the most comprehensive guide to understanding and controlling the factors that determine the shelf-life of food products.
  • The Laboratory Fish

    • 1st Edition
    • Gary Ostrander
    • Gary Ostrander
    • English
    This reference series provides researchers of all kinds with comprehensive practical information on different species of laboratory animals, for daily laboratory use. Each title in the series in devoted to a different species. and draws together all available data in one easily accessible source. Each has similar format, with sections on the strains available, their husbandry and special diets. This leads to sections on gross anatomy, endocrinology and reproduction, followed by more detailed sections on neuroanatomy, vasculature, cell biology and histology of particular organs and structures, and a section on molecular biology. High quality illustrations are included throughout, with copious color histology microphotographs.
  • Ancient Lakes: Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 31
    • English
    Scattered over several continents, the ancient lakes of the world have a unique uninterrupted history dating back beyond 100,000 years.Ancient lakes are, in effect, aquatic islands in which a complex of ecology, genetics and evolutionary constraints have shaped in isolation their biotas over hundreds of thousands to millions of years. The diverse faunas achieve some of the highest levels of diversity known to any habitat, offering unique opportunities as 'natural laboratories' for studying the mechanisms of evolution and speciation in situ. This internationally authored volume contains the latest research results and theories to emerge from a diverse range of studies in these lakes.Containing exciting new findings in the ecology, evolution and systematic studies of ancient lake biotas together with many suggested areas for future research, it will be essential reading for all those with a general interest in ecology, evolution and natural history.In this volume expert scientists present the latest results and perspectives from their research on the organisms of the ancient lakes. Diverse in its taxonomic coverage and themes, and international in its authorship and coverage, Ancient Lakes will appeal to all biologists interested in evolution, ecology and biodiversity.
  • Cereal Biotechnology

    • 1st Edition
    • P C Morris + 1 more
    • English
    Genetic modification is one of the most important and controversial issues facing the food industry – nowhere more so than in cereal production and processing. Cereals provide the cornerstone of the world's diet, of which 50% comes from wheat, maize and rice.This major work explains the techniques involved and their enormous potential for food producers and consumers, from cereal breeding to milling, baking and brewing. It also explains how this new technology is regulated, the methods for assessing its potential risks, and the ways that cereal biotechnology can add value, from weed control and disease resistance to improved nutritional properties, processing functionality and product quality in food processing.Much has been written on this significant issue, but until now there has been no guide for both those on the academic side and those working in the industry itself. By examining both sides of the coin, this book bridges the gap between these groups, giving each a greater awareness of the other's role, a more rounded picture of the business and an increased understanding of all the issues at stake.Cereal Biotechnology is an authoritative reference for food processors on a key new technology, an essential guide for biotechnologists on the range of commercial applications within cereals processing, and a vital contribution to the debate for all those concerned with genetic modification in food processing.
  • Food Labelling

    • 1st Edition
    • J R Blanchfield
    • English
    J Ralph Blanchfield has brought together a distinguished panel of European and American experts from industry and academia. Together they provide a comprehensive guide to producing labelling that complies with existing legislation and satisfies the needs of all interested parties. Food labelling also provides a valuable insight into possible future developments.The book deals with each aspect of food labelling from the EU and USA perspectives in turn. The legislative requirements for both are fully examined in sections written by experts from the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the US Food and Drug Administration respectively. There are chapters on major themes including the declaration of ingredients and additives, durability indication, nutrition information and nutrition and health claims. Readers will find answers to the questions raise by the issues of Genetically Modified and irradiated foods and ingredients, as well as guides to good international practice in design, multi-lingual requirements, shelf-life issues, traceability and instructions for storage and use.Food labelling is an invaluable guide for food processors, those concerned with food law and regulation, and all those involved in selling food products in the European Union, United States and throughout the rest of the world.
  • Controlled Release Veterinary Drug Delivery

    Biological and Pharmaceutical Considerations
    • 1st Edition
    • Michael J. Rathbone + 1 more
    • English
    Many controlled release veterinary drug delivery systems (CRVDDS) are presently in use, and recently there has been a host of new CRVDDS within veterinary medicine. The challenges of this area of drug delivery arise from the unique anatomy and physiology of the target animal, the cost constraints associated with the value of the animal being treated and the extended periods of time that delivery must be sustained for (often measured in months).The purpose of this book is to introduce the reader to the unique opportunities and challenges of the field of CRVDDS and to explain and discuss the basic controlled release principles underlying the development of CRVDDS. Its aim is to provide an overview of many of the areas where CRVVDS have application, and to highlight the opportunities and prospects for controlled release technology in the veterinary field.Controlled Release Veterinary Drug Delivery comprises chapters that provide workers in the field (and those interested in this area) with information on the design, development and assessment of a variety of CRVDDS. The book contains chapters that describe the relevant animal physiological and anatomical considerations alongside descriptions of current and emerging controlled release delivery systems for a variety of routes for drug delivery, and present overviews on the physical and chemical assessment of veterinary controlled release delivery systems.The veterinary area is abound with opportunities for the development of controlled release drug delivery technologies. It is an area of medicine that is open to the acceptance of novel drug delivery devices, and which readily encompasses the use of novel routes of administration. It is an area of many unmet needs, most of which offer opportunities and unique challenges for the innovative formulation scientist to provide solutions. This book will provide an insight into the biological, clinical and pharmaceutical challenges that face the formulation scientist in this interesting and diverse area of research.
  • Elsevier's Dictionary of Plant Names and their Origin

    In English (with definitions)
    • 1st Edition
    • D.C. Watts
    • English
    The dictionary contains about 30,000 vernacular and literary English names of plants (plus a few American), both wild and cultivated, with their botanical name and a brief account of the names' meaning if known. It was conceived as part of the author's wider interest in plant and tree lore, and ethnobotanical studies. Knowledge of plant names can give insight into largely forgotten beliefs. Why for example is, or was, the common red poppy known as "Blind Man"? An old superstition has it that if the poppy were put to the eyes it would cause blindness. Such names were probably the result of some taboo against picking the plant. Similarly, other names were likely to have been applied as a result of a country mother's warning to her children against eating poisonous berries. For the warning carries more weight when the name given to the berry reinforces the warning. Many such plants or fruits may be ascribed to the devil, Devil's Berries for Deadly Nightshade is an example.Names may also be purely descriptive, and can also serve to explain the meaning of the botanical name. Beauty-Berry is an example: it is the name given to the American shrub that belongs to the genus Callicarpa, which is made up of two Greek words that mean beauty and berry.Literary, or "book" names, have also been included in this dictionary, as being a very important part of the whole. Many of them provide links in the transmission of words through the ages. Thor's Beard, for example, is a book name for "houseleek", and has never been used in the dialect. But it highlights the legend that houseleek is a lightning plant, and by reverse logic is a preserver from fire.
  • Managing Frozen Foods

    • 1st Edition
    • C J Kennedy
    • English
    The publication of this book has been perfectly timed to serve the needs of a rapidly expanding industry. Frozen foods have shed their associations with low quality convenience food and freezing is now recognised as one of the safest and most nutritionally valuable ways to store food.Quality is a fundamental competitive advantage. However, the quality of frozen foods is dependent upon the strength or weakness of each link in the supply chain. This book examines the key quality factors at each stage in the frozen food supply chain, from raw material selection through processing and storage to retail display. Managing frozen foods is a unique overview of this entire industry and provides frozen food manufacturers, distributors and retailers with:The book begins with a review of the safety of frozen foods in production and distribution. It then considers the selection of raw materials and pre-treatment before examining the range of physical and chemical factors affecting the sensory and nutritional quality of food during freezing. This is followed by a comprehensive review of freezer technology and identifies the essential selection criteria that food manufacturers need to consider. Further chapters discuss the selection of packaging, cold store design, equipment and maintenance as well as the key area of retail display equipment. Dr Christopher J Kennedy concludes the book by providing a valuable insight into the future of this industry, outlining the opportunities offered by latest developments such as anti-freeze proteins and ultrasonic techniques.
  • The Laboratory Rat

    • 1st Edition
    • George J. Krinke
    • English
    This reference series will provide all researchers using laboratory animals with comprehensive practical information on the various species. Each title in the series is devoted to a particular species, and draws together all available data in a "one-stop", easily accessible source. Each has similar format, with sections on the strains available, their husbandry, and special diets. Also included are sections on gross anatomy, endocrinology, and reproduction, followed by more detailed sections on neuroanatomy, vasculature, cell biology, and histology of particular organs and structures, and a section on molecular biology. High quality illustrations are included throughout and a color plate section is provided. A glossary, list of equipment suppliers, and "Quick Reference Section" are added features. The "Quick Reference Section" brings together all tables from the text, allowing readers to find data swiftly. The first volume in The Handbook of Experimental Animals Series, The Laboratory Rat, provides researchers in academia and industry using laboratory animals with comprehensive, practical information on the species. The Laboratory Rat has been divided into eight sections dealing with:* Strains and their selection for research* Housing and maintenance* Pathogens and diseases* Breeding and reproduction* Anatomy* Physiology* Procedures, including experimental surgery* Emerging techniques, including genetic engineering and molecular technology
  • Reproductive Biology of Bats

    • 1st Edition
    • Elizabeth G. Crichton + 1 more
    • English
    The Reproductive Biology of Bats presents the first comprehensive, in-depth review of the current knowledge and supporting literature concerning the behavior, anatomy, physiology and reproductive strategies of bats. These mammals, which occur world-wide and comprise a vast assemblage of species, have evolved unique and successful reproductive strategies through varied anatomical and physiological specialization. These are accompanied by individual and/or group behavioral interactions, usually in response to environmental mechanisms essential to their reproductive success.