Pigments in Fruits and Vegetables: Genomics and Dietetics [Paperback]

This comprehensive treatise provides a systemic and insightful overview of current advances in the biosynthetic genomics/genetics and preventive dietetics of carotenoids, flavonoids and betalains, from a general perspective, and in specific fruits and vegetables as well. Genomics/genetics focuses on what and how enzymatic and regulatory genes are involved in pigment biosynthesis. Dietetics emphasizes how these pigments contribute nutritional/medical benefits to health, prevent diseases, and act as potential nutraceuticals in the diet. The goal is to provide research scientists, nutrition specialists, healthy food advocates, students, and rainbow food (fruit and vegetable) lovers with an integrated resource on the biosynthetic and dietetic mechanisms of these pigments.

Overview of Plant Pigments.- Carotenoids Biosynthesis Genomics.- Carotenoids in Human Nutrition.- Differential Transcription Factor Networks Orchestrate Flavonoid Biosynthesis.- Flavonoids Dietetics: Mechanisms and Emerging Roles of Plant Nutraceuticals.- The Betalain Secondary Metabolic Network.- Indicaxanthin Dietetics: Past, Present and Future.- Pigments in Citrus.- Pigments in Grape.- Pigments in Strawberry.- Carotenoids in Carrot.- Carotenoids in Green Vegetables and Health Aspects.- Anthocyanins in Staple Crops.

Chunxian Chen is a member of the Citrus Research and Education Center for the University of Florida. His research interests include genomics and bioinformatics, gene cloning and expression profiling, and breeding and selection in citrus.

This comprehensive treatise provides insight into pigment biosynthesis and dietetics. The text includes current reviews on the genomics of carotenoid, flavonoid, and betalain biosynthesis in plants and the dietetics of these pigments in humans. Pigments biosynthesized in plants are a source of attractive colors in nature and essential nutrients in our daily fruit, vegetable, and grainlc²