Plant-Derived Antimycotics Current Trends and Future Prospects

An important overview of the state of the art in naturally occurring antimycotics!Here is a comprehensive and innovative examination of the antimycotic potential of essential plant oils and extracts against fungal infections affecting humans, animals, plants, and foodstuffs. Plant-Derived Antimycotics emphasizes the antimycotic activity of plants found in Central America, India, Nepal, Fiji, and China--areas rich in phyto-diversity and traditional botanical/medical knowledge.From editor M.K. Rai: “Since the inception of human civilization men have been using herbs against various mycotic infections. In the recent past, several antimycotic agents have been introduced into the market due to their rapid curative properties. Still, the quest for new antifungal agents of a fungicidal rather than fungistatic nature continues. Furthermore, there has been a dramatic increase in the new spectrum of fungal infections known as opportunistic fungal pathogens. Consequently, plant-derived antimycotics are gaining importance, being natural, cheaper, safer, eco-friendly, and within the reach of the common man.”With a distinguished list of contributors from around the world, Plant-Derived Antimycotics explores: antifungal compounds that strengthen plant-defense systems traditional herbs that have revealed their antifungal properties newer, faster methods of screening and evaluating antifungal drugs natural antimycotics derived from plants in Croatia, South America, South Africa, China, India, and Fiji the mechanism of herbal antimycotic action the diversity of antimycotic efficacy in Asteraceous and Meliaceous plants new bioactive antifungal moleculesPlant-Derived Antimycotics is an essential reference for pharmacologists, microbiologists, clinical mycologists, oncologists, immunologists, drug manufacturers, botanists and ethnobotanists, phytochemists, herbalists, and everyone searching for a natural remedy for the new spectrum of opportunistic fungal infections generated by the immunocompromising difficulties encountered by AIDS and cancer patients. Color illustrations, photographs, charts, tables, and graphs make the information easier to absorb and understand.

About the Editor Contributors Preface Chapter 1. Overview: Oxidative Stress and Postharvest Produce Active Oxygen Species General AOS Activity AOS Generation Conclusion Chapter 2. Postharvest Response of Horticultural Products to Ozone Introduction Ozone Chemistry Physiological Effects on Plants Postharvest Use on Fresh Produce Conclusion and Topics for Further Research Chapter 3. Low Temperature As a Causative Agent of Oxidative Stress in Postharvest Crops Introduction Chilling Injury Low-Temperature Sweetening Low-Temperature Stress-Related Quality Defects Temperature Preconditioning to Inhibit Low-Temperature Oxidative Stress Conclusion Issues and Topics for Further Research Chapter 4. Effects of Storage Conditions and Postharvest Procedures on Oxidative Stress in Fruits and Vegetables Introduction Maturity at Harvest Storage Duration Storage Temperature Postharvest Water Loss Controlled and Modified Atmospheres Ethylene Irradiation Future Directions Chapter 5. Superficial Scald—A Postharvest Oxidative Stress Disorder Chemistry of Scald Scald and Oxidative Stress Theories Ethylene and Scald Postharvest Scald Treatments to Control Oxidative Stress Conclusion and Future Research Direction Chapter 6. Oxidative Stress Affecting Fruit Senescence Introduction Oxidative Stress Factors Affecting Oxidative Stress and Senescence Recent Research into Fruit Oxidative Stress Conclusion Issues for Further Research Chapter 7. Antioxidants Introduction Lipid-Soluble Membrane-Associated Antioxidants Water-Soluble Antioxidants Enzymatic Antioxidant Systems Antioxidants During Postharvest Storage Conclusion and Directions for Future Research Chapter 8. How Respiring Plant Cells Limit the Production of Active Oxygen Species Introduction Sites of Active Oxygen Species Production in the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain Intracellular Oxygen Concentration The Alternative Oxidase The Plant Uncoupling Mitochondrial Protein Q-Cycle Inhibitors The Q Pool Conclusion Issues and Topics for Future Research Chapter 9. Physiological Effects of Oxidative Stress in Relation to Ethylene in Postharvest Produce Introduction Ethylene Physiology in Postharvest Future Directions Chapter 10. Genetic Variation and Prospects for Genetic Engineering of Horticultural Crops for Resistance to Oxidative Stress Induced by Postharvest Conditions Introduction AOS Metabolism Senescence, Ripening, and AOS Metabolism Chilling Injuries of Fruits and Vegetables Genetic Approaches: Are They Feasible? Conclusion and Future Research Chapter 11. Postharvest Treatments of Control Oxidative Stress in Fruits and Vegetables Introduction Control of Oxidative Injury Using Antioxidant Dips and Edible Coatings Postharvest Treatments to Control Oxidant Injury in Fruits and Vegetables Future Directions Index Reference Notes Included