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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.

  • Advances in Food Security & Sustainability

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 11
    • English
    Advances in Food Security and Sustainability, Volume 11, highlights recent developments and emerging perspectives in addressing global food security challenges. This volume brings together a diverse collection of chapters written by international experts, examining the complex interactions between food systems, health, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation. Chapters in this release explore topics such as the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in food safety, the One Health approach to food security, regional perspectives on food security in the Americas, and the relationships between diet, health, and medical outcomes, and much more.Further chapters discuss policy environments influencing food security, the application of decision analysis methods for food safety, and strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies through biofortification. The volume also addresses global and regional issues including meat consumption trends in Africa, protein security in Central Asia, the legacy of the Green Revolution, and the role of biodiversity and marine ecosystems in sustaining resilient food systems. ]
  • Microbial Fertilizers

    Innovations and Applications for Sustainable Agriculture
    • 1st Edition
    • Laurent Dufossé + 3 more
    • English
    Microbial Fertilizers: Innovations and Applications for Sustainable Agriculture explores the latest developments, applications, and challenges in the formulation and commercialization of novel microbial-based biofertilizers. Covering a wide array of topics, the book begins by covering the selection and diversity of microbial fertilizers. It goes on to explore the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of their plant-microbe interactions and how they can enhance nutrient availability and improve environmental stress tolerance. Additionally, the book addresses the commercialization and market trends of microbial fertilizers like the use of formulation technologies to improve microbial viability and stability in various product formats for better practical application.The book also explores cutting-edge omics approaches that facilitate comprehensive profiling of microbial communities and their roles in soil fertility and plant health as well as innovative technologies like the integration of synthetic biology and genetic engineering to tailor microbial strains for specific functions and the use of nanotechnology with microbial fertilizers for targeted nutrient delivery and controlled release systems.
  • Nutraceutical Applications in Food Processing and Preservation

    • 1st Edition
    • M. Anuradha + 1 more
    • English
    Nutraceutical Applications in Food Processing and Preservation addresses the urgent need for healthier and safer food processing methods by integrating nutraceuticals as natural alternatives to conventional additives. The book explores the intersection of food science, nutrition, and biotechnology to seek innovative solutions to enhance food safety and nutritional value amid rising consumer health consciousness. The contents encompass an in-depth analysis of food additives and their evolution, a detailed coverage of various nutraceutical types such as phytochemicals and probiotics, and practical applications across beverages, snacks, dairy, bakery, and meat alternatives.The book also includes case studies that showcase successful nutraceutical substitutions, discussions on regulatory compliance, sustainability, and market trends that affect product development and food safety. By providing regulatory insights, scientific advancements, and consumer trend analyses, this reference fosters the creation of safer, health-promoting food products. It will equip food scientists, technologists, product developers, and academic researchers with actionable knowledge to innovate and improve food processing practices.
  • Bioplastics for Food Packaging

    Materials, Procedures, and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Mehran Ghasemlou + 1 more
    • English
    Bioplastics for Food Packaging: Materials, Procedures, and Applications offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals and recent developments in the field of bioplastics tailored specifically for food packaging applications. Covering critical topics such as the environmental impact of plastic waste and the regulatory landscape driving the adoption of bioplastics in the food industry, this book discusses the unique benefits and drawbacks associated with different types of bioplastics. It explores practical applications of bioplastic flexible films, containers, coatings, and more, and showcases real-world success stories and industry insights.This is a valuable reference for those looking to understand the application of bioplastics in the food industry and stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in bioplastics for food packaging purposes.
  • Animals and Human Society

    Impacts of Animals on People and People on Animals
    • 2nd Edition
    • Colin G. Scanes + 1 more
    • English
    Animals and Human Society: Impacts of Animals on People and People on Animals, Second editon provides a solid, scientific, research-based background to advance our understanding of how animals and humans interact and impact each other. Animals and humans have had profound effects on each other throughout human history, spanning all aspects of human society from agriculture, disease, culture, religion, companionship, entertainment, environment, and more. Developed by renowned experts Colin Scanes and Clive Phillips, this second edition features a new introductory chapter covering the biological concepts necessary for technical and non-technical audiences of this book. All first edition chapters have been revised to bring readers up to date on research advancements from the last decade, and novel chapters cover animal ethics, welfare, the basis of anthrozoology, zooarchaeology, and more. Guest essays further supplement updated chapter content by providing broad interdisciplinary and geographically diverse perspectives in the field. Animals and Human Society, Second Edition is an excellent resource for academics and industry professionals requiring fundamental information on the history and biology behind human-animal interactions, as well as interested laypersons looking to augment their knowledge on the many impacts of animals in human society.
  • Nitric Oxide in Plant Resilience to Abiotic Stress

    • 1st Edition
    • Ravi Gupta + 2 more
    • English
    Nitric Oxide in Plant Resilience to Abiotic Stress offers a detailed examination of this essential gasotransmitter’s pivotal role in bolstering plant defenses against environmental stressors. Part of the Plant Gasotransmitters and Molecules with Hormonal Activity series, the volume investigates the molecular mechanisms of nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis and signaling, emphasizing how post-translational modifications like S-nitrosylation and tyrosine nitration govern key targets to activate adaptive stress responses. It systematically examines NO’s properties, detection techniques, and its regulation under both optimal and adverse conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of how it modulates plant functions.Expanding beyond fundamental processes, the volume highlights NO’s crucial involvement across a spectrum of abiotic stresses—drought, salinity, temperature extremes, heavy metals, and UV radiation—unveiling its capacity to mitigate damage and strengthen plant resilience. It also discusses the crosstalk between NO and other signaling molecules, such as phytohormones and emerging growth regulators, revealing synergistic pathways that underpin sustainable agriculture.Designed for researchers, advanced students, and plant scientists worldwide, this work illuminates the potential of NO to drive innovations in breeding strategies, enabling crop improvement to overcome the challenges posed by a changing climate and expanding environmental pressures.
  • Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

    • 1st Edition
    • Allah Ditta + 2 more
    • English
    Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi provides a comprehensive view of AMF-focused approaches that support biodiversity, ecosystem services, and soil health. The book addresses the topic from the basis of symbiosis to the latest research and future directions of AMF use in agriculture. It provides a thorough overview of the role that AM fungi play in promoting agricultural sustainability and synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, ecology, and applications of AM fungi in sustainable agriculture, highlighting best practices for promoting AM fungi in agricultural ecosystems, such as crop selection, soil management, and fertilizer use. In addition, the book identifies research gaps and priorities for the advancement of the understanding of AM fungi in sustainable agriculture. Among the major issues confronting agriculture are soil erosion, water shortages, climate change, and dwindling biodiversity. In response to these issues, the need for sustainable farming methods that support ecosystem services, biodiversity, and soil health is rising. As the soil microbiome is largely composed of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which are essential for preserving soil health and encouraging plant development, this book is a welcomed resource.
  • Intelligent Gene Editing in Plants

    The Convergence of AI and CRISPR
    • 1st Edition
    • Aftab Ahmad + 3 more
    • English
    Intelligent Gene Editing in Plants analyzes how AI-enabled design and CRISPR-based genome engineering are reshaping plant genetics, with a clear functional focus on delivering durable gains in crop productivity, stress tolerance, and nutritional quality.The work unfolds in three parts: [i] a foundational survey of genome-editing technologies and the evolving role of AI in precise trait modifications and outcome prediction; [ii] a thorough exploration of applications and synergies, including AI-assisted gRNA optimization, off-target mitigation, regulatory-network analysis, and trait enhancement for disease resistance and climate resilience; and [iii] an emerging-horizons section on cis-regulatory edits, omics integration, synthetic biology, and next-generation editing.Throughout, the volume interweaves practical experiences, cutting-edge methodologies, and case studies, alongside discussions of biosafety, ethical concerns, governance, and public perception, providing a holistic, decision-ready resource for students, researchers, practitioners, and regulatory authorities to navigate the opportunities and responsibilities of plant gene editing, with significant implications for sustainable agriculture and global food security.
  • Advances in Food and Nutrition Research

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 121
    • English
    Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, Volume 121 in this ongoing series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of timely topics, including Precision nutrition in autoimmune diseases, Current and novel food allergens: cross-reactivity and cross-sensitization risks, Microbiota, fermentation, and metabolite biotransformation: pathways to functional foods and personalized nutrition, Pectins and Modified Pectins: Bridging Food Technology and Human Health Innovations, Methodological Approaches to Assess Protein Digestibility with an Emphasis on Plant-Derived Foods, Recent advances in natural melanin added food packaging, and much more.Additional sections cover A comprehensive overview of the formation of biogenic amines in seafood, Microplastics as an unexplored emerging food contaminant: a challenge for food safety, and Animal-origin food waste hydrolysates for its use as a food/feed ingredient.
  • Carbon Incentives, Plans, and Policies in Agriculture

    • 1st Edition
    • Ram Swaroop Meena + 3 more
    • English
    Economic incentives intended to catalyze environmentally responsible behavior have assumed a central role in confronting climate change, food insecurity, and natural resource degradation. Notwithstanding their promise, many programs underperform owing to methodological gaps, limited transparency, and insufficient regulatory oversight. Carbon Incentives, Plans, and Policies in Agriculture undertakes a critical appraisal of these constraints and advances evidence‑based propositions for strengthening carbon credit mechanisms across agricultural systems and value chains.The volume assembles a globally diverse authorship to synthesize emergent strategies and forward trajectories in carbon financing and monetization, green accounting, ecological and environmental economics, and carbon credit trading, while situating these within the broader sustainability imperatives of agroecosystems. Distinctive emphasis is placed on measurement and methodological rigor, including quantification protocols, MRV frameworks, and domain‑specific estimation approaches for soils, croplands, grasslands, and agroforestry, together with field-level interventions (e.g., energy and water use efficiency, best management practices, and green manuring) and technological enablement (notably, AI-supported assessment). Integrating scientific, policy, and economic perspectives, this book furnishes a conceptual and operational foundation for scholars, researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers seeking to design effective, transparent, and equitable governance and planning protocols for a low‑carbon agricultural transition.