Practical Polyphenolics: From Structure to Molecular Recognition and Physiological Action

Thisisthefirstbooktodescribethescientificbasisfortheactionofplantpolyphenolsinawiderangeoftechnologicallyimportantphenomena.Thebookopenswithageneralsummaryofpolyphenolicstructureandadiscussionofthephysicalandchemicalbasisofnon-covalentmolecularinteractions(theprocessofmolecularrecognition)andthemeansbywhichpolyphenolsinitiatethemanyandvariedpropertiestheydisplay.Therehasbeenabigincreaseininterestinourabilitytounderstandtheimportanceofpolyphenolsinareasasdiverseasagriculture,ecologyandfoodselection,foodstuffsandnutrition,beverages(astringencyandbitterness),naturalmedicines(theso-called'Frenchparadox'),floralpigmentation,naturalgluesandvarnishesandtheage-oldmethodsforthemanufactureofleather.Theroleofpolyphenolsinalloftheseareasisdiscussed.Thisbookwillbeofvaluetoawiderangeofresearcherswithaninterestinpolyphenolics.