Phytochemical compounds are secondary metabolites that plants usually synthesize for their own protection from pests and diseases. Phytochemical biosynthesis is also triggered under specific environmental conditions. They cannot be classified as essential nutrients since they are not required at specific amounts for life sustenance. Phytochemicals in Vegetables: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds presents information about the phytochemical (common and scarce) content of several cultivated vegetables, as well as their health and therapeutic effects based on in vitro, in vivo, animal and clinical studies. Chapters also cover recent research findings about their mode of action, bioavailabity, interactions with other biological matrices and pharmacokinetics. Moreover, the book gives special attention to the factors that may alter and modulate bioactive compound content, including both cultivation practices and post-harvest treatments that aim towards the production of high quality and healthy foods. Researchers, public health workers, consumers and members of the food industry will find this book to be a useful reference on the variety of phytochemicals present in vegetables.

Plant transformation technology has played a critical role in advancing biotechnology and fundamental research and evolved as a science. This book describes the breakthrough technologies in all aspects of plant transformation in the last 27 years, which have been contributed by the world leading experts in the field. This e-book is one of the first books that covers critical technologies in all aspects of plant transformation to plant biologists and molecular biologists from industrial, academic and governmental organizations. It should greatly benefit postdoctoral associates and graduate and undergraduate students in the plant biology community.

Grapes (Vitis spp.) are economically significant fruit species. Many scientific advances have been achieved in understanding physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of grape berry maturation. Some of these advances have led to the improvement of wine quality through better grape growing practices; but this avenue of research is still wide open due to the complexity of the biochemical mechanisms involved in the development and ripening of grapes and their response to environment. The Biochemistry of the Grape Berry is a pioneer offering for readers - giving a focused and integrated coverage of the key biochemical and molecular aspects of grape berry development and ripening. Readers will benefit from a comprehensive and updated coverage on key steps, mechanisms and regulation in grapevine biochemistry and molecular biology, provided by an international team of leading scientists. It provides useful references on this research area and original data from laboratories worldwide. The comprehensive range of topics covered in this e-book is valuable to a multidisciplinary readership including plant physiologists, enologists, microbiologists, wine makers, biochemists and students. Thus The Biochemistry of the Grape Berry represents a step forward in the comprehension of grape berry biochemistry, wine quality and health benefits.