Focusing on the importance of functional foods and their secondary metabolites for human health, this volume presents new insights with scientific evidence on the use of functional foods in the treatment of certain diseases. The plants covered and their bioactive compounds are easily accessible and are believed to be effective with fewer side effects in comparison with modern drugs in the treatment of different diseases. The plants contain chemical compounds that can modify and modulate biological systems, eliciting therapeutic effects. Some plants and derived products mentioned include black carrot, olive oil, citrus peel, grapes, candy leaf, cereals and grains, and green and black tea. The volume is divided into four sections that cover these topics: Functional foods for human health: the available sources, biochemistry, structural composition, and different biological activities, especially antioxidant activity. Pharmacological aspects of fruits and vegetables: the extraction of bioactive molecules, phytochemistry, and biological activities of a selection of plants. Pharmacological aspects of natural products: bioactive compounds, structural attributes, bioactivity of anthocyanin, piceatannol, and a review of the ethnobotany and medicinal properties of green and black tea. Pharmacological aspects of cereals and grains: the health benefits of flaxseed, wheatgrass juice, and use and therapeutic potential as supplements for disease management.

This volume sheds new light on the immense potential of medicinal plants for human health from different technological aspects. It presents new research on bioactive compounds in medicinal plants that provide health benefits, including those that have proven especially effective in treating and managing diabetes mellitus and hypertension. It looks at the medicinal properties, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of plants and provides scientific evidence on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of certain diseases. Many of the plants described in the chapters are easily accessible and are believed to be effective with fewer side effects in comparison to modern drugs in the treatment of different diseases.

Nature has always been, and still is, a source of food and ingredients that are beneficial to human health. Nowadays, plant extracts are increasingly becoming important additives in the food industry due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that delay the development of off-flavors and improve the shelf life and color stability of food products. Due to their natural origin, they are excellent candidates to replace synthetic compounds, which are generally considered to have toxicological and carcinogenic effects. The efficient extraction of these compounds from their natural sources and the determination of their activity in commercialized products have been great challenges for researchers and food chain contributors to develop products with positive effects on human health. The objective of this Special Issue is to highlight the existing evidence regarding the various potential benefits of the consumption of plant extracts and plant-extract-based products, with emphasis on in vivo works and epidemiological studies, the application of plant extracts to improving shelf life, the nutritional and health-related properties of foods, and the extraction techniques that can be used to obtain bioactive compounds from plant extracts.

This new book deals with recent advanced research on natural products and health-promoting foods that work to reduce the risk of diseases while enhancing overall well-being. Plant-based functional foods are known to contain compounds (also referred to as phytochemicals) in the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of certain plants. These plant products are drawing the attention of researchers because of their demonstrated beneficial effects against disease, particularly diabetes, hypertension, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, among others. The medicinal and nutritional use of plant secondary metabolites is a hot topic and has been receiving extensive attention from both health professionals and the public. This book presents new information on the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants, plant-based drugs, and the innovative use of plant-based drugs for human health.

Bioactive compounds are abundant in nature, particularly in plants, which have the capacity to synthesize phenolics, flavonoids, caffeine, carotenoids, and much more. Different bioactive compounds can change or alter the life process due to their different biological activities. This book examines bioactive compounds and their sources, structures, and potential uses in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, medicine, cosmetics, and food processing.

Bioactive compounds play a central role in high-value product development in the chemical industry. Bioactive compounds have been identified from diverse sources and their therapeutic benefits, nutritional value and protective effects in human and animal healthcare have underpinned their application as pharmaceuticals and functional food ingredients. The orderly study of biologically active products and the exploration of potential biological activities of these secondary metabolites, including their clinical applications, standardization, quality control, mode of action and potential biomolecular interactions, has emerged as one of the most exciting developments in modern natural medicine. Biotechnology of Bioactive Compounds describes the current stage of knowledge on the production of bioactive compounds from microbial, algal and vegetable sources. In addition, the molecular approach for screening bioactive compounds is also discussed, as well as examples of applications of these compounds on human health. The first half of the book comprises information on diverse sources of bioactive compounds, ranging from microorganisms and algae to plants and dietary foods. The second half of the book reviews synthetic approaches, as well as selected bioactivities and biotechnological and biomedical potential. The bioactive compounds profiled include compounds such as C-phycocyanins, glycosides, phytosterols and natural steroids. An overview of the usage of bioactive compounds as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, anti-allergic compounds and in stem cell research is also presented, along with an overview of the medicinal applications of plant-derived compounds. Biotechnology of Bioactive Compounds will be an informative text for undergraduate and graduate students of bio-medicinal chemistry who are keen to explore the potential of bioactive natural products. It also provides useful information for scientists working in various research fields where natural products have a primary role.

This new volume explores the importance of phytochemicals from plants in therapeutics, focusing on the extraction of bioactive compounds and their applications in human health. Natural products and their bioactive compounds are increasingly utilized in preventive and therapeutic medication as well as for the production of pharmaceutical supplements and, more recently, as food additives to increase the functionality of foods. The first section of the volume describes recent advances in the extraction of bioactive compounds from various sources. It looks at advanced extraction techniques such as enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, pressurized liquid extraction, and supercritical extraction techniques. Part 2, on bioactive compounds and health claims, covers the roles of different bioactive compounds and their health-promoting potential for lifestyle diseases. This section explains the botany, physical characteristics, uniqueness, uses, distribution, importance, phytochemistry, bioactivities, and future trends of different functional foods.