This book is concerned with growing essential oil plants profitably to obtain an aromatic derivative. Each chapter covers a different family. A brief history of the use and economic development is given, and cultivation, harvesting and distilling described. Results of current research and recommendations for improved agronomic practices, together with methods of adding value to the crop, such as producing honey or processing the oil, are also discussed. This book is key reading for all agricultural advisers, researchers, agronomists and extension workers concerned with essential oil crops, and policy makers working on rural improvement in developing economies. It also contains valuable information for specialists involved in the use of essential oils, and commodity traders.

Sustainable agriculture is a rapidly growing field aiming at producing food and energy in a sustainable way for humans and their children. Sustainable agriculture is a discipline that addresses current issues such as climate change, increasing food and fuel prices, poor-nation starvation, rich-nation obesity, water pollution, soil erosion, fertility loss, pest control, and biodiversity depletion. Novel, environmentally-friendly solutions are proposed based on integrated knowledge from sciences as diverse as agronomy, soil science, molecular biology, chemistry, toxicology, ecology, economy, and social sciences. Indeed, sustainable agriculture decipher mechanisms of processes that occur from the molecular level to the farming system to the global level at time scales ranging from seconds to centuries. For that, scientists use the system approach that involves studying components and interactions of a whole system to address scientific, economic and social issues. In that respect, sustainable agriculture is not a classical, narrow science. Instead of solving problems using the classical painkiller approach that treats only negative impacts, sustainable agriculture treats problem sources. Because most actual society issues are now intertwined, global, and fast-developing, sustainable agriculture will bring solutions to build a safer world. This book series gathers review articles that analyze current agricultural issues and knowledge, then propose alternative solutions. It will therefore help all scientists, decision-makers, professors, farmers and politicians who wish to build a safe agriculture, energy and food system for future generations.

Industrial Oil Crops presents the latest information on important products derived from seed and other plant oils, their quality, the potential environmental benefit, and the latest trends in industrial uses. This book provides a comprehensive view of key oil crops that provide products used for fuel, surfactants, paints and coatings, lubricants, high-value polymers, safe plasticizers and numerous other products, all of which compete effectively with petroleum-derived products for quality and cost. Specific products derived from oil crops are a principle concern, and other fundamental aspects of developing oil crops for industrial uses are also covered. These include improvement through traditional breeding, and molecular, tissue culture and genetic engineering contributions to breeding, as well as practical aspects of what is needed to bring a new or altered crop to market. As such, this book provides a handbook for developing products from renewable resources that can replace those currently derived from petroleum. Led by an international team of expert editors, this book will be a valuable asset for those in product research and development as well as basic plant research related to oil crops. Up-to-date review of all the key oilseed crops used primarily for industrial purposes Highlights the potential for providing renewable resources to replace petroleum derived products Comprehensive chapters on biodiesel and polymer chemistry of seed oil Includes chapters on economics of new oilseed crops, emerging oilseed crops, genetic modification and plant tissue culture technology for oilseed improvement

This book on 'Aromatic Plants' contains seven s. Introductory on 'History, importance and scope of aromatic plants' deals with the importance of aromatic crops and their close association with human health and beauty care from time immemorial. History of development of cultivation and aroma based industries in different regions of the world is described to emphasize their significance, scope and role in increasing the quality of human life. Classification of aromatic plants based on their climatic requirement, growth habit and floral morphology elaborated in succeeding will be of great interest to students, researchers and farmers. on 'Extraction of aroma principles' describes traditional as well as modern techniques employed for efficient extraction of volatile oils and oleo-resins from different plants materials and equipments employed for the purpose. Quality of oil is found to vary significantly with ecotypes, season, time of collection, crop maturity and weather conditions prevailing during the growth period, extraction method and duration of extraction process. Conditions and duration of storage also have a bearing on quality of essential oil. This necessitates development and imposition of appropriate quality standards in trade. These aspects are covered in fourth on 'Quality assurance of essential oils'. Aromatic oils & their derivatives and combinations occupy a covetable position in holistic medicines such as aromatherapy. on 'Aromatherapy' details the use of essential oils in human health care, techniques employed, aromatherapy message, aromatic bath, facial care, hair care etc. Information on aromatic oil's vide spread application to relieve stress and rejuvenate body are also included. Sixth and seventh s deal with major and other sources of aromatic oils. Under major sources, 17 aromatic crops and under other sources, 25 crops and discussed in detail. These s include the common name, botanical name and synonyms if any and family, vernacular names, importance and uses, habitat and distribution, agro technology, soil, climate, season, land preparation, planting, seed rate and spacing manurial and fertilizer recommendation, irrigation, weed control, pest control, harvest, propagation techniques, herbal yield, extraction and utilization, oil recovery, oil composition, properties of oil, storage requirements etc.

Volatile (essential) oil crops yield a wide range of products - fresh and dried herbs, oils and oil components and various oleoresins. Changing lifestyles in developed countries have led to dramatic increases in demand for these products, particularly over the last decade. More varied use has been made of oils and herbs in cooking, and oil components are now being regarded as safe alternatives to synthetic food additives and crop protection substances. The surge in demand for these produces has encouraged a number of temperate and mediterranean countries to evaluate a range of volatile oil-bearing species as alternative crops. This has resulted in a rapid expansion in the scientific and technical literature on culinary and medicinal herbs. Volatile Oil Crops draws much of this literature together for the first time. It reviews the basic botany, physiology and biochemistry of the major species and then analyses the genetics of oil composition. The effects of oils on a wide range of organisms are discussed and the book surveys the biotechnological methods which can be employed in the laboratory production of oils. It concludes with a full analysis of the world trade in the products of volatile oils.

This interesting book contains a wealth of information on the subject of essential oils, and will make an excellent addition to the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in the subject Contents include: The Development of the Essential Oil Industry; The Chemistry Origin and Function of Essential Oils In Plant Life; The Production of Essential Oils: Methods of Distillation, Enfleurage, Maceration and Extraction with Volatile Solvents; The Examination and Analysis of Essential Oils, Synthetics and Isolates; Use of Essential Oils; Storage of Essential Oils; Tables of Boiling Points of Isolates and Synthetics at Reduced Pressure; Conversion Tables.