Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1. Medicinal Phytochemicals and Health Effects of Baobab Adansonia digitata Based on Their Evidences
Noboru Motohashi and Rao Gollapudi (Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Noshio, Kiyose-shi, Tokyo, Japan, and others)

Chapter 2. Food for Vision Protection
Suhaila Mohamed (Institute of BioScience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia)

Chapter 3. Chemical and Biological Investigations with Black Sesame Seed Pigment
Thomas Eidenberger (Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Stelzhamerstr, Wels, Austria, Europe)

Chapter 4. Clinical Effects of Bilberry Extract on Eyestrain
Yukihiro Horie and Nobuyoshi Kitaichi (Department of Ophthalmology, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Sapporo, Japan)

Chapter 5. Electrochemical Studies of Antioxidants
Jaldappagari Seetharamappa, Ranjita D. Tandel, Suma K. Pawar, Ayyapayya S Mathad, and Noboru Motohashi (Department of Chemistry, Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, and others)

Index

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Reviews

“Occurrences, Structure, Biosynthesis, and Health Benefits Based on Their Evidences of Medicinal Phytochemicals in Vegetables and Fruits” is the outcome of the editor’s imperative desire to bring the collective information on the health benefits and nutritional values of super foods. Diminutive effects of aging, loss of vision, arthritis, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson, cardiovascular functions and diabetic complications, physically and mentally debilitate the affected aged. However, consumption of health foods supports in reducing the complications of some disorders. Health foods are rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes and nutrients. Antioxidants shield DNA damage, caused by free radicles generated in the course of metabolism, through the scavenging activity of free radicles. In the series 6 authors focuses on antioxidant effects of phenolics and their biological activities besides known essential proteins, amino acids, fats, lipids, starch and fibers, important as nutritional supplements. The authors have justified in describing various aspects of health benefits in their reviews.

The first chapter narrated the health benefits of Adanosiana digatata (Baobab) native to Madagascar and Africa. The fruit pulp exhibited anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-pyretic activities. Furthermore, the authors described phytochemicals and medicinal applications present in Baobab. The fruits and leaves are rich source of vitamins and minerals. The polyphenols like tannins present in baobab protect in peroxidation and ROS defeating effects.

The second chapter described about vision decline, diabetic retinopathy, chronic oxidative stress, tissue hypoxia, hyperglycemia, inflammation, angiogenesis common among elderly population. Phytochemicals in health foods diminishes the progression of above mentioned complications. The authors enumerated dietary advantages of turmeric, saffron, cloves, ginger, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, dark grapes, green tea etc. The molecular mechanisms of action were also presented in detail.

The third chapter rated the health values of black sesame seeds. Besides, the putative effects of black pigment present in the black sesame seed were disclosed. The pigment diminished the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases.

The forth chapter illustrated how the violet anthocyanin in bilberry fruit protected the skin damage caused by solar UV radiation. The original observations of their clinical studies were described in detail.

The fifth chapter exemplified the health benefits of antioxidant activity associated with polyphenols. The different electrochemical methods used to evaluate the antioxidant activities of these polyphenols were presented. Some of these original observations were disclosed by the authors.

The book answers the question about what to eat to keep one healthy focusing on nutrient rich foods. Furthermore, the book inspires those who want to achieve energy and health through health foods. This book provides innovative approach in the selection of health foods. The book’s true value is its abundant information content making it a good reference for researchers.” – <strong>Rao Gollapudi, Ph.D., Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA</strong>