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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.

  • Elsevier's Dictionary of Plant Names and their Origin

    In English (with definitions)
    • 1st Edition
    • July 19, 2000
    • 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
    • June 27, 2000
    • 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
    • June 20, 2000
    • 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
  • Plant Protein Kinases

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 32
    • June 13, 2000
    • English
    This volume brings together the principle data currently available in the field of protein phosphorylation. It demonstrates the importance of the role played by protein kinases in the developmental processes and also in responses to signals from the environment.
  • Reproductive Biology of Bats

    • 1st Edition
    • June 12, 2000
    • 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.
  • Advances in Marine Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 38
    • June 5, 2000
    • English
    Volume 38 is a standard Advances in Marine Biology volume with two reviews: "The Enhancement of Marine Fish Stocks" and "The Biology of Pandalus."Advances in Marine Biology provides in-depth and up-to-date reviews on a variety of topics. The series also includes thematic volumes that examine a particular field in detail. Recent thematic volumes are "The Biology of Calenoid Copepods" and "Walleye Pollock".
  • The Tea Industry

    • 1st Edition
    • June 2, 2000
    • Nick Hall
    • English
    In recent years the international tea industry has changed dramatically with the closure of the London Terminal Auction in 1998 in favour of auctions at source in both Africa and Asia, and the evolution of a wide range of value added products.This major new looseleaf provides a guide to the complex and multifaceted tea industry. Never before has there been a single reference containing the entire range of industry information from history through to health. The Tea Industry's comprehensive nature will promote better understanding of the industry for everyone involved throughout the supply chain as well as providing ideal material for those who are new to the industry.The Tea Industry begins with a review of the history and origins of the trade from its Chinese origins. The author goes on to look at the growing and processing of tea including a detailed country-by-country analysis of world production, consumption, exporting and importing. There are detailed sections on markets, marketing and quality control of tea including a look at auctions, branding and blending of tea. Finally, there is a review of current thinking on tea and health which includes recent research in the area. Overall, The Tea Industry has been developed to provide the most thorough account ever produced of this fascinating industry.
  • Lipid Glossary 2

    • 1st Edition
    • May 12, 2000
    • F. D. Gunstone + 1 more
    • English
    Lipid Glossary 2 is a handy reference for a wide range of lipid scientists and technologists, as well as for those involved in the trading of these materials.The major part of the book is the glossary which contains brief and simple definitions, such as the names of fatty acids and lipids, the major oils and fats, terms associated with their analysis, refining, and modification, and the major journals and societies concerned with lipid chemistry. Entries are arranged alphabetically for ease of reference and there are cross-refernces between sections. Many entries have full references to further sources of information.The earlier book A Lipid Glossary (first published by The Oily Press in 1992) has been completely rewritten for this new version. The entries have been extended and increased in number to over 1200. The number of graphics has been raised to over 180. As a consequence, the new book has more than twice as many pages as the old version. Details of the major lipid journals and books on lipids are listed in two appendices.
  • Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry 10

    • 1st Edition
    • April 28, 2000
    • Peter A. Williams + 1 more
    • English
    The tenth volume of "Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry" provides an up-to-date account of the latest research developments in the characterisation, properties and applications of polysaccharides and proteins used in food.
  • Modern Roses XI

    The World Encyclopedia of Roses
    • 1st Edition
    • April 14, 2000
    • Thomas Cairns + 3 more
    • English
    This work, published previously by the American Rose Society (ARS), represents a listing of all officially registered rose cultivars globally. It will supersede the previous edition, Modern Roses X, published in 1993. Modern Roses XI contains descriptions for more than 25,000 roses. The book features 28 color plates and includes a CD-ROM of the entire work which makes searching easy.