Roots and tubers are considered as the most important food crops after cereals and contribute significantly to sustainable development, income generation and food security especially in the tropical regions. The perishable nature of roots and tubers demands appropriate storage conditions at different stages starting from farmers to its final consumers. Because of their highly perishable nature, search for efficient and better methods of preservation/processing have been continuing alongside the developments in different arena. This book covers the processing and technological aspects of root and tuber foods, detailing the production and processing of roots and tubers such as taro, cassava, sweet potato, yam and elephant foot yam. Featuring chapters on anatomy, taxonomy and physiology, molecular and biochemical characterization, GAP, GMP, HACCP, Storage techniques, as well as the latest technological interventions in Taro, Cassava, Sweet potato, yam and Elephant foot Yam.

Cereals, pulses, roots, and tubers are major food sources worldwide and make a substantial contribution to the intake of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, as well as vitamin E and B. The Handbook of Cereals, Pulses, Roots, and Tubers: Functionality, Health Benefits, and Applications provides information about commercial cereals, pulses, and their nutritional profile, as well as health benefits and their food and non-food applications. Split into four sections, this handbook covers all the recent research about the related crops and outlines matters needing further research in the field of agriculture sciences. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis of nutrients and bio-actives, and their beneficial effects on human health, are highlighted in this book. The conclusions drawn and future perspectives proposed in each chapter will also help researchers to take more focused approaches. FEATURES Covers the full spectrum of cereals, pulses, roots, and tubers grain production, processing, and their use for foods, feeds, fuels, and industrial materials, and other uses Contains the latest information from grain science professionals and food technologists alike Provides comprehensive knowledge on the nutritional and non-nutritional aspects of cereals, pulses, and tubers Discusses the latest development in modification of native starch Provides information in enhancing shelf life and its utilization in phytochemical rich product development The result of various well-versed researchers across the globe sharing their knowledge and experience, this handbook will be a valuable resource for students, researchers, and industrial practioners who wish to enhance their knowledge and insights on cereals, pulses, roots, and tubers.

Cultivated Plants, Primarily as Food Sources is a component of Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. Global food demand is forecast to double and possible triple, by the year 2050, when more than 10 billion people will need to be fed worldwide. To ensure adequate nutrition for this growing population food production must be expanded faster than the population. Following a longer introduction chapter with some information on the history of crop production, the land used for agriculture, the cropping systems and the future trends, comes the knowledge in depth: The grain and cereal, the edible been plants, the vegetables and plants for edible starch, oil, sugar and beverage production, the fruits and nuts, the fiber, forage and industrial crops. Each subject contains glossary and bibliography for better and deeper understanding. At each important plant the history, the production technology, the importance of the crop in nutrition of growing population, the feeding value, some short case stories, and the future trends are discussed. When considering plant foods in relation to human health, it should be remembered that plant foods may also have health value in addition to their nutritional value. It would seem possible to modify the composition of plant foods as to improve human health. In developing countries, poverty leads to food shortage and under nutrition and many populations survive largely on plant-based diets. In industrialized countries, relative affluence leads to over consumption of food and especially to over-consumption of animal foods at the expense of plant foods. These two volumes, cultivated plants, primarily as food sources, help to get more detailed knowledge to overcome the mentioned problem of the World. These volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs.

Tuber and root crops are the third important group of food crops after cereals and pulses, feeding about one fifth of the world population. With the burgeoning population coupled with limited land, water and other resources, the future beckons tuber and root crops in fulfilling the country's food requirements. These crops have higher biological efficiency and greater adoption with profound production potential per unit area per unit time. Tuber and root crops are well known from time immemorial as nature's energy bank and famine savior. This book is conceived to have an updated version on the tuber and root crops especially in the Indian context, including information on the history, biodiversity, geographical distribution, botany, neutraceutical and pharmaceutical values, new varieties, production technologies, IPM strategies, starches, post harvest technologies and value added products, bio-processing, biotechnology, ITK and future thrusts. Various aspects of cassava, sweet potato, elephant foot yam, taro, yams, coleus, yam bean and arrow root are elucidated in 17 s and appendices. This book will be of immense use to the policy makers, scientists, post graduate and under graduate students and officials concerned with tuber and root crops research, development and extension.

"The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Carbohydrates in Human Nutrition was held in Rome from 14 to 18 April 1997"--P. xv.