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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.

    • Underutilized Tuber Crops of the Himalayan Region

      • 1st Edition
      • January 15, 2026
      • Arun Kumar Gupta + 1 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 6 4 7 8
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 6 4 8 5
      Underutilized Tuber Crops of the Himalayan Region: Nutraceutical Potential, Processing, and Applications explores significant, yet underutilized, edible tubers known for their bioactive and pharmacological properties, as well as their preservation potential. The book presents detailed information on historical uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, distribution, processing, toxicity, conservation, and future prospects of these tubers, along with their market relevance. It also covers various processing and preservation techniques to maximize their utility as ingredients or additives in food products.By integrating neglected and underutilized tubers into the current agricultural portfolio, alongside environmentally sustainable farming practices, the book provides valuable insights for food scientists and agricultural professionals working to ensure a secure, nutritious food supply while addressing the challenges of environmental change.
    • Agricultural Water Management in Africa

      • 1st Edition
      • January 15, 2026
      • Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi + 2 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 2 1 5 8 4 1
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 2 1 5 8 5 8
      Agricultural Water Management in Africa presents a comprehensive look at the current state of irrigation development and agricultural water management (AWM) practices across Africa and the Global South. Going beyond just assessment, the book offers actionable guidelines, forward-looking scenarios, and strategic investment plans to help prioritize and implement irrigation and AWM initiatives in the face of climate change.At the heart of Africa’s push for agricultural transformation is the African Union’s (AU) initiative — the AU Irrigation Development and Agricultural Water Management (AU-IDAWM) program. This framework lays out four key development pathways to drive impactful change in water management across the continent: (i) enhanced water control and watershed management in rain-fed agriculture; (ii) farmer-led irrigation development that empowers local growers; (iii) modernization and expansion of irrigation schemes; (iv) utilization of unconventional water sources for sustainable irrigation.The book maps out the progress and potential of these pathways on a continental scale, showcasing how the AU-IDAWM framework can shape Africa’s water-secure agricultural future. To enrich this perspective, it also draws on case studies from Asia and Latin America, creating space for meaningful South–South knowledge exchange. It thoughtfully examines cross-cutting themes such as the water–energy–food nexus and the circular economy, placing AWM in the broader context of sustainability and climate resilience.Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, practitioner, or development partner, this volume delivers critical insights into how smarter water management can drive agricultural growth, food security, and environmental stewardship in Africa and beyond.
    • Beyond Halal

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Amal A. Elgharbawy + 4 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 0 0 5 8 5
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 0 0 5 9 2
      In a world where dietary choices, sustainability and supply chain transparency are becoming increasingly intertwined, Beyond Halal: Exploring Dietary Preferences, Novel Ingredients and Techniques sheds light on the ethical and dietary considerations and challenges that arise in the context of Halal food practices. Written by leading experts of Halal food studies in their respective fields, Beyond Halal: Exploring Dietary Preferences, Novel Ingredients and Techniques not only addresses aspects of sourcing, production, distribution, and certification, but also examines the applications of nanomaterials in ethical and sustainable food production, and explores the use of sustainable aquaculture practices to meet dietary preferences of Halal consumers. The book takes a deep dive into the intersection of molecular gastronomy and health in the context of ethical food production, discusses plant-based innovation in Halal cuisine and examines consumer behavior and preferences in relation to Halal practices. It also discusses the application of blockchain technology in enhancing transparency and integrity in the halal supply chain, while focusing on the impact of consumer choices and ethical considerations.
    • Aflatoxin Management in Crops

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Sajad Majeed Zargar + 3 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 8 6 3 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 8 6 4 9
      Aflatoxin Management in Crops: Challenges and Opportunities provides a comprehensive look at current insights into aflatoxin contamination in agricultural crops and its effect on human health on global level. With insights from around the globe, it presents the latest advances in the understanding of the contamination and management strategies for aflatoxins in cereals, millets, oilseed, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Aflatoxin contamination in crops is a global threat that compromises the safety of food, feed, and also influence the agricultural economy and crop-dependent small scale industries. Crops can be contaminated during the process of harvesting, storing, and transporting by the fungi and leads to the productions of several mycotoxins. Aflatoxin can be extremely harmful if consumed, being linked to cancer-, immune-, and nutritionally related diseases. Aflatoxin Management in Crops: Challenges and Opportunities includes the biology of fungi and the chemistry behind the toxicity level of different aflatoxin strains as well as advances in detection techniques and management strategies. It concludes by exploring the different effects of aflatoxin on human health and regulatory laws to control its contamination.
    • Digital Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Tarek Ben Hassen + 1 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 5 0 8 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 5 0 9 9
      Digital Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems offers a comprehensive review of digital technology's role in supporting sustainable agriculture and food systems. The book explores how digital technologies like precision agriculture, robots, artificial intelligence, and blockchain may boost agricultural output and efficiency while lowering environmental impact. It also investigates how these technologies might assist farmers in connecting with markets, increasing supply chain traceability, and boosting food safety and quality. Serving as a comprehensive guide, this book educates and helps farmers, policymakers, researchers, industry professionals, and other value chain actors in leveraging digital innovations. It also address the pressing challenges faced by the agri-food sector, such as food insecurity, environmental degradation, natural resources depletion, and climate change.
    • Berries and Nutrition

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Hafiz Suleria + 3 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 9 3 5 6
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 9 3 6 3
      Berries and Nutrition: A Holistic Approach to Health provides comprehensive coverage on the myriad benefits of berries as they relate to health and disease. From detecting bioavailability and exploring phytochemical properties, to a comparative analysis of nutritional profiles across different berry varieties, readers will come away with a better understanding of the nuanced metabolic profiles of certain berry fruits and their health benefits. While addressing current challenges related to sustainable utilization, mass production, and the transfer from field to industry sectors, Berries and Nutrition: A Holistic Approach to Health highlights the phytochemical structure and metabolic enhancing properties of berries to maintain bone health, fight inflammation, improve cognitive function and brain health, enhance exercise performance and recovery, fight cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and more. Authors also examine the micronutrients in some berries for their Vitamin C and Folic Acid makeup and discuss the influence of a microclimate on the mineral and metabolic profile of certain berries for optimal nutrition.
    • Bovine Colostrum as a Nutraceutical

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Rahul Mehra + 3 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 7 1 6 1
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 7 1 7 8
      Bovine colostrum is being touted by medical professionals, nutritionists, and food product developers worldwide for its ability to optimize health and help manage disease. Scientists are becoming increasingly intrigued by its nutrient-dense, immune-boosting properties. Bovine Colostrum as a Nutraceutical: Developments in Processes and Products for Therapeutic and Dietary Applications takes a closer look at every facet of a cow’s first milk—from composition to consumption—and discusses how its nutritional and hyper-immune properties are frequently used in food-pharma worldwide. Comprised of 18 chapters, Bovine Colostrum as a Nutraceutical: Developments in Processes and Products for Therapeutic and Dietary Applications elucidates the chemistry, physiological effects and response of nutritional bioactive elements such as peptides while exploring the impact of different environmental, natural, and processing factors that can affect colostrum's composition. Authors discuss emerging colostrum processing methods, as well as the recent technologies, and instrumentation used for isolating and identifying bioactive components for food product development. Readers will also learn colostrum's role in gut, immune and skin health, and how it can enhance muscle growth for improved athletic performance. Safety, efficacy, and regulatory considerations of bovine colostrum and its derivatives are also discussed.
    • Paraprobiotics, Postbiotics and Psychobiotics in Foods

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Annamalai Manickavasagan + 1 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 1 1 6 9
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 1 1 7 6
      Commonly used and associated with gut health and nutrition, the rapidly growing field of 'biotics' a collective term for probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, parapostbiotcs and more, is constantly being challenged for its validity of health applications and its adaptation into the food industry for therapeutic benefits in functional products. Paraprobiotics, Postbiotics and Psychobiotics in Foods: From Concept to Validated Application is a gateway for readers to focus on the broad insights of the biotic arena to establish foundational understanding. Divided into three sections, one for each of the major topics, Paraprobiotics, Postbiotics and Psychobiotics in Foods: From Concept to Validated Application treats each individually but consistently, and gives readers an introduction to emerging concepts and how ‘biotics’ are being used in the development of health promoting and therapeutic functional food products. Each section begins with an introductory chapter that defines mechanisms of action, sources and health benefits, and is followed by the associated potential application of these components in food products. Sections conclude with detailed information on the regulatory, technical and quality control aspects associated with such food products. This book gives readers a better understanding and acceptance of ‘biotics’ used for functional foods.
    • Comprehensive Guide to Inulin

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Wasim Akram + 2 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 6 6 1 7 8
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 6 6 1 8 5
      Comprehensive Guide to Inulin: Applications in Health, Nutrition and Consumer Products delves into the versatile functions of inulin, a prebiotic soluble fiber gaining recognition for its health benefits. Drawing on the latest research, this book outlines how inulin supports improved dietary habits, advances therapeutic approaches, and encourages sustainable ingredient choices for food and pharmaceutical industries. With insights from leading experts presented across 18 chapters, readers discover the comparative advantages of inulin over other soluble fibers, its emerging role in disease management, and its potential to shape personalized nutrition strategies.Beyond gut health, the guide highlights inulin’s influence on mental wellness and behavioral health, underscoring its holistic value in modern nutrition. Real-world case studies demonstrate inulin’s integration into functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical innovations, equipping both food science and medical professionals with practical applications. The book ultimately presents inulin as a pivotal ingredient, bridging scientific research with consumer product development and disease prevention.
    • Processing, Nutrition and Value Addition Principles of Neglected and Underutilized African Foods

      • 1st Edition
      • January 1, 2026
      • Tilahun Seyoum Workneh + 2 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 7
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 4 4
      Africa’s agroclimatic conditions are conducive to a diverse array of indigenous foods, from vegetables, fruits, and spices to fungi, insects, and roots. However, scientific documentation of traditional preservation, processing and value addition of these species and their potential to heal and nourish, is not well known to the global population. Processing, Nutrition and Value Addition Principles of Underutilized African Foods introduces traditional methods of processing and preserving indigenous foods from Africa while reporting on the commercial potential, and nutritional constituents that contribute to a more healthful society and a sustainable planet. Written by a collaboration of authors from different parts of Africa and around the world, Processing, Nutrition and Value Addition Principles of Underutilized African Foods explores the neglected and underutilized agricultural and botanical diversity of Africa. Authors show how certain species such as African nightshades, sourplum, monkey oranges, ancient grains, edible insects and more, can have health, nutrition and functional benefits while contributing to a sustainable global food system and potentially helping combat food insecurity. The taxonomy of each neglected species will be discussed along with distribution, planting area, yield and loss, and waste. The book also provides a comprehensive view of the societal attitudes towards these foods and delves into the reasons behind their neglect and underutilization, despite their inherent health benefits.