Academic Press Natural Bioactive Compounds: Technological Advancements

Natural Bioactive Compounds: Technological Advancements deals with the latest breakthroughs in the field of screening, characterization and novel applications of natural bioactive compounds from diverse group of organisms ranging from bacteria, viruses, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, bryophytes, higher plants, sponges, corals and fishes. Written by some of the most reputed scientists in the field, this book introduces the reader to strategies and methods in the search for bioactive natural products. It is an essential read for researchers and students interested in bioactive natural products, their biological and pharmacological properties, their possible use as chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents, and other future potential applications. Review A comprehensive resource that will aid readers in the selection of organism, substance, method of extraction and modification of natural bioactive compounds From the Back Cover Bioactive compounds are those substances that show biological activity on living tissues and triggers a response in them. Typical bioactive plant compounds are produced as secondary metabolites that are not necessary for the routine functioning of the organisms, but play an important role in the competition, defense, attraction and signaling. Active compounds in natural products such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, alkaloids and organic acids, are able to prevent and treat some diseases because of their antioxidant, antineoplastic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory effects. However, plants are not the sole source of bioactive substances. These substances are found in wide range of living organisms and microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, bryophytes, lichens, higher plants and in some groups of animals. Natural Bioactive Compounds deals with the latest advancements made in the field of screening, characterization and novel applications of natural bioactive compounds from diverse group of organisms ranging from bacteria, viruses, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, broyophytes, higher plants, sponges, corals and fishes. Written by some of the most reputed scientists in the field, this book introduces the reader to strategies and methods in the search for bioactive natural products. This book is an essential read for researchers and students interested in bioactive natural products, their biological and pharmacological properties, their possible use as chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents, and other future potential applications. About the Author Prof. Dr. Rajeshwar P. Sinha, DAAD Fellowship Awardee and Fellow, Society for Applied Biotechnology, India, is a professor of molecular biology, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India, where he received his PhD in Biotechnology. He is working on UV radiation effects on aquatic ecosystems (DNA damage and repair, phycobiliproteins, mycosporine-like amino acids, and scytonemin). He is a life member and editorial board member of various national/international scientific societies and journals, respectively. He has published more than 300 research papers/reviews/book chapters and edited/authored seven books. Before his retirement, Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. D-P. Häder has been a director of the Botanical Institute and held the chair of Ecophysiology of Plants at the Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, and was the director of the Botanical Garden. He is the author of more than 720 scientific publications, has produced 29 books, and holds 7 national and international patents. He is or has been editor of several international journals and is currently section editor of Environmental Toxicology in Frontiers in Environmental Sciences. His research interests are ecophysiology and ecotoxicology of aquatic ecosystems and is appointed member of the Environmental Effects Panel of the United Nations on the effects of ozone depletio