Those bristly cactus spines are guarding something really good to eat.

Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Vegetables provides an overview of the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition, antioxidant potential, and health benefits of a wide range of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables. The book presents a comprehensive overview on a variety of topics, including inflorescence, flowers and flower buds (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage), bulb, stem and stalk (onion, celery, asparagus, celery), leaves (watercress, lettuce, spinach), fruit and seed (peppers, squash, tomato, eggplant, green beans), roots and tubers (red beet, carrots, radish), and fruits, such as citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit), berries (blackberry, strawberry, lingonberry, bayberry, blueberry), melons (pumpkin, watermelon), and more. Each chapter, contributed by an international expert in the field, also discusses the factors influencing antioxidant content, such as genotype, environmental variation and agronomic conditions. Contains detailed information on nutritional and anti-nutritional composition for commonly consumed fruits and vegetables Presents recent epidemiological information on the health benefits of fresh produce Provides in-depth information about the antioxidant properties of a range of fruits and vegetables

Examines the health benefits of the prickly pear cactus, summarizing the literature and research on its use in treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and other ailments, and including information about application and dosage.

Attacked by a stranger and held at knife point Camile wasn't afraid of him.

''The prickly pear has been part of our landscape for over 250 years and many of us have relished its tasty fruits. However, who would have thought that this controversial plant has such a fascinating history and such a variety of uses for such a diverse group of South Africans. The authors have produced a well-researched, entertaining and thought-provoking account of this plant in the Eastern Cape from its introduction in 1750. This book will appeal to the general public, farmers and environmentalists as well as to extension officers, conservationists and municipal officials, not to mention researchers and academics. Facts are supported with anecdotes, some quite amusing, from interviews with a wide range of commercial farmers, scientists and users. You will be entertained by this story in which the main protagonist is both a hero and a villain. Each of the nine chapters is accompanied by illustrations, photographs and text boxes.''--Publisher's description.

Nutritional Composition of Fruit Cultivars provides readers with the latest information on the health related properties of foods, making the documentation of the nutritive value of historical cultivars especially urgent, especially before they are lost and can't be effectively compared to modern cultivars. Because there is considerable diversity and a substantial body of the compositional studies directed towards commercial varieties, this information is useful for identifying traits and features that may be transposed from one variety to another. In addition, compositional and sensory features may also be used for commercialization and to characterize adulteration. Detailed characterization of cultivars can be used to identify "super-foods". Alternatively, unmasked historical cultivars may be the focus of reinvigorated commercial practices. Each chapter in this book has sections on the botanical aspects, the composition of traditional or ancient cultivars, the composition of modern cultivars, a focus on areas of research, the specialty of the communicating author of each chapter, and summary points. Presents the botanical aspects and composition of both traditional and modern plants, including in-depth insight into current research, and overall summary points for each fruit for consistent comparison and ease of reference Provides important information in the consideration of preservation, transference, or re-introduction of historical/traditional cultivars into current crop science Provides details on compositional and sensory parameters, from aroma and taste to micro- and macronutrients Includes data on nutraceuticals and novel components that have proven to impact on, or be important in, food quality, storage, processing, storage, and marketing