Most bioactive compounds have antioxidant activity, particularly tocochromanols, phenolics (flavonoids and phenolic acids), methylxantines and capsaicinoids. Some of these compounds have also other properties important for human health. For example, vitamin E protects against oxidative stress, but it is also known for its “non-antioxidant” functions, including cell signalling and antiproliferation. Selenium compounds and indoleamins are the components of the antioxidant enzymes. Selenium makes vitamin E acquisition easier and controls its physiological functions. In taking part in enzymatic reactions and protecting the cell against free radicals, selenium shows immunomodulative, antiphlogistic, and antiviral activity. Capsaicinoids possess not only antioxidant, but also antibacterial, analgesic, weight-reducing and thermoregulation properties. Studies have also demonstrated their gastroprotective and anticancer properties. Analytical Methods in the Determination of Bioactive Compounds and Elements in Food explores both the influence of particular compounds on human health and the methods used for their determination. Chapters describe various aspects of food and plant analysis, including chromatographic and non‐chromatographic approaches as well as hyphenated techniques. Readers of this book will gain a comprehensive understanding of the important groups of bioactive compounds relevant to human health.

Aspects of food and drug analysis include exploring natural sources as healthy food, characterizing the molecular structures of bioactive principles, identifying novel drugs, assessing their affinity and specificity, and examining their bioactivities in vitro and in vivo. In addition to extensively applied chromatographic methods, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is also used to screen for novel bioactive molecules. Various new sample preparation methods have been reported, especially for analysis in biological sample matrices. All these new analytical methods accelerate research and will make potential targets available in the near future.

In the quest for accurate and efficient analysis of the diverse area encompassed by functional foods and nutraceuticals, analysts encounter unique challenges. Uncertainty over which compound is responsible for a particular health benefit forces analysts to look for marker compounds, sometimes at extremely low levels, and sometimes as part of a matr

Inherent toxicants and processing contaminants are bothnon-essential, bioactive substances whose levels in foods can bedifficult to control. This volume covers both types of compound forthe first time, examining their beneficial as well as theirundesirable effects in the human diet. Chapters have been writtenas individually comprehensive reviews, and topics have beenselected to illustrate recent scientific advances in understandingof the occurrence and mechanism of formation, exposure/riskassessment and developments in the underpinning analyticalmethodology. A wide range of contaminants are examined in detail,including pyrrolizidine alkaloids, glucosinolates, phycotoxins, andmycotoxins. Several process contaminants (eg acrylamide and furan),which are relatively new but which have a rapidly growingliterature, are also covered. The book provides a practical reference for a wide range ofexperts: specialist toxicologists (chemists and food chemists),hygienists, government officials and anyone who needs to be awareof the main issues concerning toxicants and process contaminants infood. It will also be a valuable introduction to the subject forpost-graduate students.

Bioactive compounds in food, known for their positive health effects, can be lost during handling after harvest, processing and storage. While most foods are exposed to processing to increase shelf life and edibility and to ensure microbial safety, conventional processing methods may have disadvantages, such as decreasing the nutritional quality of foods, long processing times, high temperature and high energy uses. For these reasons, novel non-thermal food processing technologies (including HPP, ultrasound) and novel thermal food processing technologies (including microwave/Ohmic heating) have become widespread. This book provides a critical evaluation of the effects of conventional, novel non-thermal, and thermal food processing techniques on the retention and bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds in food materials. Within these three categories, many different processing methods are included: fermentation/germination, drying, extrusion, and modified atmosphere packaging, as well as novel technologies, such as microwave heating, ultrasound, high pressure processing, ozonation, and membrane separation processes.

With diet and health news making headlines on a regular basis, the ability to separate, identify, and analyze the nutrients, additives, and toxicological compounds found in food and food compounds is more important than ever. This requires proper training in the application of the best methods, as well as knowledgeable efforts to improve existing methods to meet certain analytical needs. Methods of Analysis for Food Components and Additives is a concise guide to both new and established methods for the analysis of food components and additives. The book presents detailed explanations of modern methods of analysis by 32 leading scientists, many of whom personally developed or refined the techniques. They summarize key findings on novel methods of analysis of food components, additives, and contaminants, including the identification, speciation, and determination of components in raw materials and food products. Each chapter is structured to provide a description of the component or additive that can be analyzed, a simple method explanation of how it works, examples of applications, and references for more specific information. This comprehensive volume features all major classes of food components and contaminants, along with components of current interest to the nutraceutical and functional foods industries. It is an essential reference for food scientists and chemists, as well as food manufacturers and researchers interested in the many methods of food analysis.