Proanthocyanidins (PAs) and Isoflavonoids (IFs) are the two main groups of flavonoids. Dr. Richard A. Dixon is one of the pioneers in these two topics. More information on his background is available on the Research Topic "Biosynthesis and Metabolic Engineering of Living Stocks (Lignin) for Biofuels". His laboratory has contributed numerous fundamental discoveries and innovations in biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of PAs and IFs. Some of the main findings in PAs include the anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) pathway and polymerization of PAs, dual functions of ANR, novel activities of leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase and reductase, roles of catechin and epicatechin in polymerization, precursors of extension units, metabolic engineering, and others. Some of the main discoveries and innovations in IFs include the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways, structural biology, enzymology, genetic regulation, enzyme structures, and metabolic engineering.

Drawing on expert opinions from the fields of nutrition, gut microbiology, mammalian physiology, and immunology, Diet-Microbe Interactions for Human Health investigates the evidence for a unified disease mechanism working through the gut and its resident microbiota, and linking many inflammation-related chronic diet associated diseases. State of the art post-genomic studies can highlight the important role played by our resident intestinal microbiota in determining human health and disease. Many chronic human diseases associated with modern lifestyles and diets — including those localized to the intestinal tract like inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease, and more pervasive systemic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease — are characterized by aberrant profiles of gut bacteria or their metabolites. Many of these diseases have an inflammatory basis, often presenting with a chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, hinting at persistent and inappropriate activation of inflammatory pathways. Through the presentation and analysis of recent nutrition studies, this book discusses the possible mechanisms underpinning the disease processes associated with these pathologies, with high fat diets appearing to predispose to disease, and biologically active plant components, mainly fiber and polyphenols, appearing to reduce the risk of chronic disease development. - One comprehensive, translational source for all aspects of nutrition and diet's effect on gastrointestinal health and disease - Experts in nutrition, diet, microbiology and immunology take readers from the bench research (cellular and biochemical mechanisms of vitamins and nutrients) to new preventive and therapeutic approaches - Clear presentations by leading researchers of the cellular mechanisms underlying diet, immune response, and gastrointestinal disease help practicing nutritionists and clinicians (gastroenterologists, endocrinologists) map out new areas for clinical research and structuring clinical recommendations

The flavonoids, one of the most numerous and widespread groups of natural constituents, are important to man not only because they contribute to plant colour but also because many members (e.g. coumestrol, phloridzin, rotenone) are physiologically active. Nearly two thousand substances have been described and as a group they are universally distributed among vascular plants. Although the anthocyanins have an undisputed function as plant pigments, the raison d'etre for the more widely distributed colourless flavones and flavonols still remains a mystery. It is perhaps the challenge of discovering these yet undisc10sed functions which has caused the considerable resurgence of interest in flavonoids during the last decade. This book attempts to summarize progress that has been made in the study of these constituents since the first comprehensive monograph on the chemistry of the flavonoid compounds was published, under the editorship of T. A. Geissman, in 1962. The present volume is divided into three parts. The first section (Chapters 1-4) deals with advances in chemistry, the main emphasis being on spectral techniques to take into account the re cent successful applications of NMR and mass spectral measurements to structural identifications. Recent developments in isolation techniques and in synthesis are also covered in this section. Advances in chemical knowledge of individual c1asses of flavonoid are mentioned inter aha in later chapters of the book.

This is the only book of its kind to provide an overview of the science of flavonoids in plants.

Legumes are very important plants playing a central role in biological research. They are a key component of sustainable agricultural systems because of symbiotic nitrogen fixation and other beneficial symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. Studies on most of the major leguminous crops are hampered by large genome sizes and other disadvantages which have hindered the isolation and characterisation of genes with important roles in legume biology and agriculture. For this reason Lotus japonicus was chosen as a model species for legume research some ten years ago. Since then, many groups around the world have adopted Lotus as a model and have developed numerous resources and protocols to facilitate basic and applied research on this species. This handbook represents the first effort to compile basic descriptions and methods for research in Lotus, including symbiotic processes, cell and molecular biology protocols, functional genomics, mutants, gene tagging and genetic analysis, transformation and reverse genetic analysis, primary and secondary metabolism, and an exhaustive update of the scientific literature available on this plant.

Discovery and Development of Anti-Breast Cancer Agents from Natural Products presents cutting-edge research advances in the field of bioactive natural products and natural drug formulations. This volume in the Natural Products Drug Discovery series focuses on molecules of natural origin and their synthetic analogs that show promising potential to act as anti-breast cancer and chemotherapeutic agents. Combining foundational background information on cancer mechanisms with details of medicinal structures from natural products, this volume compiles the latest developments from across interdisciplinary fields.Discovery and Development of Anti-Breast Cancer Agents from Natural Products will serve as a valuable resource for researchers working to discover promising leads for the development of novel pharmaceuticals for breast cancer, highlighting a number of key structures from natural products and exploring possible future developments in the area. - Highlights active agents from natural sources for development as novel anti-cancer agents - Features contributions from active researchers and leading experts working in the field - Includes foundational background information on both breast cancer mechanisms and natural product structures to support researchers from different disciplines

Therapeutic, Probiotic and Unconventional Foods compiles the most recent, interesting and innovative research on unconventional and therapeutic foods, highlighting their role in improving health and life quality, their implications on safety, and their industrial and economic impact. The book focuses on probiotic foods, addressing the benefits and challenges associated with probiotic and prebiotic use. It then explores the most recently investigated and well-recognized nutraceutical and medicinal foods and the food products and ingredients that have both an impact on human health and a potential therapeutic effect. The third and final section explores unconventional foods and discusses intriguing and debated foods and food sources. While research has been conducted on the beneficial biological effects of probiotics and therapeutic food, the use of these foods remains controversial. To overcome the suspicion of the use of alternative, homeopathic and traditional products as therapy, this book reveals and discusses the most recent and scientifically sound and confirmed aspects of the research. - Compiles the most recent, interesting and innovative research on unconventional and therapeutic foods - Highlights the role of unconventional and therapeutic foods in improving health and life quality - Discusses the implications of unconventional and therapeutic foods on safety - Presents the industrial and economic impact of unconventional and therapeutic foods