Nutraceuticals : Food Applications and Health Benefits

Nutraceutical and functional foods are in trend nowadays. Consumers are showing great interest in adapting nutraceutical/functional foods in their regular diet because they not only provide good nutrition but also have therapeutic properties. Various nutraceuticals have different mechanisms of action and are hence used as alternative pharmaceuticals for mitigating health problems. Research in the field of health-promoting foods has been escalating since the last decade. In recent years, a growing interest related to nutraceuticals has arisen among different vulnerable groups of the society because they act as an alternative to modern medicine. This book will provide the latest scientific information on different aspects of nutraceuticals and functional foods. From production to processing, and marketing of nutraceuticals, one must have knowledge of national regulations on nutraceuticals. The contents of this book have been formulated by considering the syllabus of UG and PG level in various central, state and other deemed and private universities and the book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, academicians, food technologists, food scientists, nutritionists, health professionals and for those who are involved in the agriculture, pharmaceutical and food processing sectors. Students and leading researchers can find information related to nutraceuticals, functional foods, strategies for formulation of functional foods, the role of nanotechnology in the food industry, extraction of nutraceuticals, role of probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics for health benefits, bioactive proteins and peptides, role of nutraceuticals in disease management, role of omega 3 fatty acid and herbs in health and diseases as well as role of nutraceuticals in food packaging in a single book. The book will prove to be a valuable reference book for graduate as well as post-graduate students in the fields of Food Science and Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Applied Nutrition, Nutrition Biology, Food Science and Nutrition Food Technology/Food Engineering, Food Biotechnology, Food Microbiology, Post-Harvest Technology, Biochemical Engineering and Life Sciences. Tables and schematic figures have also been given in the book chapters for better understanding and to simplify the complex matter. References including textbooks, journals, and relevant websites are given. Teachers, students and researchers can have direct access to the references used. This book is a complete package for students, researchers and industry personnel working in this field.