The 15th International Symposium on Plant Lipids was held in Okazaki, Japan, in May 12th to 17th, 2002, at the Okazaki Conference Center. The Symposium was organized by the Japanese Organizing Committee with the cooperation of the Japanese Association of Plant Lipid Researchers. The International Symposium was successful with 225 participants from 29 countries. We acknowledge a large number of participants from Asian countries, in particular, from China, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines, presumably because this was the fIrst time that the International Symposium on Plant Lipids was held in Asia. We also acknowledge a number of scientists from Canada, France, Germany, UK and USA, where plant lipid research is traditionally very active. The Symposium provided an opportunity for presentation and discussion of 68 lectures and 93 posters in 11 scientific sessions, which together covered all aspects of plant lipid researches, such as the structure, analysis, biosynthesis, regulation, physiological function, environmental aspects, and the biotechnology of plant lipids. In memory of the founder of this series of symposia, the Terry Galliard Lecture was delivered by Professor Ernst Heinz from Universitat: Hamburg, Germany. In addition, special lectures were given by two outstanding scientists from animal lipid fields, Professor James Ntambi from University of Wisconsin, USA, and Dr. Masahiro Nishijima from the National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Japan. To our great honor and pleasure, the session of Lipid Biosynthesis was chaired by Dr.

This text presents the latest advances in supercritical fluid technology, biocatalysis, bioprocess engineering, and crop breeding. It offers an in-depth review of the most recent principles and approaches utilized in the development and design of lipids for cosmetic, industrial and pharmaceutical, and food products. Discussing a variety of lipid-active enzymes from animal, plant, fungal, and microbial sources, "Lipid Biotechnology" covers modern techniques in genetic engineering for the modification of conventional oilseed crops and biosynthetic pathways for cutin polymers, flavor volatiles, oxylipins, and terpenoid compounds. It chronicles the use of lipases and phospholipases in the creation of structured lipids and fats, including cocoa butter, low-calorie fats, and Betapol, and emerging methods using supercritical carbon dioxide as a benign solvent for lipid analysis, fractionation, and enzymatic reaction. It also covers reaction conditions, reactor design, solvent selection, immobilization technology, and enzyme sources for optiml large-scale manufacturing, and describes the formation of oxylipins through the lipoxygenase pathway, as well as other unusual fatty acids. The authors provide in-depth analyses of the structure, metabolic and enzymatic functions and mechanisms, defensive and catalytic properties, industrial uses, and other applications of oxilipins and lipases.

A review of the most recent advances in plant lipid biosynthesis, particularly relevant to industry.

New research tools have revealed many surprising aspects of the dynamic nature of lipids and their participation in processes such as recognition, intra- and inter-cellular signalling, deterrence and defense against pathogens, membrane trafficking and protein function. This is in addition to new information on the more established roles of plant lipids as structural components of membranes and as long-term storage products. Plant lipids are also increasingly being seen as sources of a new generation of environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and renewable industrial products, including biopolymers and high-grade lubricants. Plant Lipids: Biology, Utilisation and Manipulation provides a broad overview of plant lipid research and its many applications. Linking various disciplines, the editor brings together researchers from major international laboratories to review the history and current state of progress in this quickly evolving field. The text starts by providing a fascinating historical perspective on the study of plant lipids, from its inception as a branch of alchemy in the seventeenth century to the current post-genomic era. It then offers a detailed discussion on the formation, modification and utilization of fatty acids. This is followed by an exploration of the major classes of macromolecular structures formed by plant lipids, including bilayer membranes and storage bodies. From there, the contributors consider other types of macromolecular lipid assemblies in plants, examining proteins and the key plant lipid structure - the cuticle. The final chapters look at diverse classes of plant lipids that are linked to various aspects of signaling. This text provides an excellent resource for researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology and genetics, in both the academic and industrial sectors. It also meets the needs of students looking for a comprehensive introduction to this field, as well as direction for fut

With contributions from nearly 130 internationally renowned experts in the field, this reference details advances in transgenic plant construction and explores the social, political, and legal aspects of genetic plant manipulation. It provides analyzes of the history, genetics, physiology, and cultivation of over 30 species of transgenic seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Stressing the impact of genetic engineering strategies on the nutritional and functional benefit of foods as well as on consumer health and the global market economy, the book covers methods of gene marking, transferring, and tagging public perceptions to the selective breeding, hybridization, and recombinant DNA manipulation of food.

Increasing human migrations, technological advances, agricultural activities, and climate change are forcing plants to adapt to new environments. This book highlights current morphological, anatomical, physiological, molecular, and genomic advances in plant defense mechanisms. These advances, including epigenetic mechanisms, have been linked to observed phenotypic plant plasticity. The book also outlines next-generation food systems, considering the resilience and sustainability of plant genomes and epigenomes.

Plant Science, like the biological sciences in general, has undergone seismic shifts in the last thirty or so years. Of course science is always changing and metamorphosing, but these shifts have meant that modern plant science has moved away from its previous more agricultural and botanical context, to become a core biological discipline in its own right. However the sheer amount of information that is accumulating about plant science, and the difficulty of grasping it all, understanding it and evaluating it intelligently, has never been harder for the new generation of plant scientists or, for that matter, established scientists. And that is precisely why this Handbook of Plant Science has been put together. Discover modern, molecular plant sciences as they link traditional disciplines! Derived from the acclaimed Encyclopedia of Life Sciences! Thorough reference of up-to-the minute, reliable, self-contained, peer-reviewed articles – cross-referenced throughout! Contains 255 articles and 48 full-colour pages, written by top scientists in each field! The Handbook of Plant Science is an authoritative source of up-to-date, practical information for all teachers, students and researchers working in the field of plant science, botany, plant biotechnology, agriculture and horticulture.

Progress in Lipid Research, Volume 18 focuses on the advancements of processes, methodologies, and approaches involved in lipid research. The selection first elaborates on lipid composition of marine and estuarine invertebrates; role of acylcoenzyme A: cholesterol O-acyltransferase in cholesterol metabolism; and synthesis of acyl lipids in plant tissues. Discussions focus on fatty acid synthesis, turnover of complex lipids, arterial wall and atherosclerosis, cholesteryl ester metabolism, and solubilization. The text then examines the effects of ethanol ingestion on lipid metabolism, including fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis, lipid peroxidation, plasma triacylglycerols and lipoproteins, phospholipid metabolism, and cholesterol and bile acids. The publication takes a look at lipid metabolism in liver and selected tissues and in the whole body of ruminant animals and the effect of caval shunts on lipid metabolism. Topics include adaptation and regulation of lipid metabolism in the whole animal, lipid metabolism in specific tissues, and the effects of caval shunts on tissue lipids. The text also ponders on lipid metabolism in the neonatal ruminant, as well as transfer of lipids across the placenta, maternal contribution to fetal lipid requirements, and placental lipid metabolism. The selection is a dependable source of data for readers interested in lipid research.

Sulphur (S) plays a pivotal role in various plant growth and development processes being a constituent of sulphur-containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine, and other metabolites viz., glutathione and phytochelatins, co-factor of enzymes which contribute to stress repair and amelioration of heavy metal toxicity. Besides, a number of S-containing components are biologically active and, thus, a source for use as medicinal value. The basic global issue before the agricultural scientist and world community is to evolve cultivars and develop methodologies for efficient use of inputs to enhance agricultural productivity. This is particularly true of the developing countries which are going to see maximum rise in population with changing food demands and declining availability of land. Amongst the inputs, nutrients play a crucial role. The major requirement is for N, P and K followed by several micro-nutrients. In this context reports of world-wide S deficiency in the agricultural systems are relevant. The reasons are many. Broadly speaking reduction inS emission, use of S-free N, P and K fertilizers and higher biomass production contributed the maximum. Despite the need for sulphur as an essential plant nutrient and the substantial returns expected from its use, very little attention has been given to fill the gap between supply and demand of S.