"Coming to a conclusion, this wonderful, informative and very interesting book presents an excellent overview of small volatile organic compounds and their role in our life and environment. Really fascinating is the entirety of scientific disciplines which were addressed by this book." –Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 2011 "... this book deserves to be a well-used reference in the library of any laboratory specialising in VOC". –Chemistry World, 2011 Volatile compounds are molecules with a relatively low molecular weight allowing for an efficient evaporation into the air. They are found in many areas of our everyday-life: they are responsible for the communication between species such as plants, insects or mammals; they serve as flavours or fragrances in many food products or perfumed consumer articles; and they play an important role in atmospheric chemistry. This book takes an interdisciplinary approach to volatile molecules. Review-style introductions to the main topics in volatile chemistry and biology are provided by international experts, building into a broad overview of this fascinating field. Topics covered include: The structural variety of volatile compounds Biogeneration of volatiles Synthesis of natural and non-natural volatiles Analysis of volatiles Volatile compounds as semiochemicals in plant-plant or plant-insect interactions Volatiles in pest control Pheromones and the influence of volatiles on mammals Olfaction and human perception Volatiles as fragrances The generation of flavours and food aroma compounds Stabilisation and controlled release of volatiles The impact of volatiles on the environment and the atmosphere

Among the constituents of food, volatile compounds are a particularly intriguing group of molecules, because they give rise to odor and aroma. Indeed, olfaction is one of the main aspects influencing the appreciation or dislike of particular food items. Volatile compounds are perceived through the smell sensory organs of the nasal cavity, and evoke numerous associations and emotions, even before the food is tasted. Such a reaction occurs because the information from these receptors is directed to the hippocampus and amygdala, and the key regions of the brain involved in learning and memory. In addition to identifying the odor active compounds, the analysis of the volatile compounds in food is also applicable for detecting the ripening, senescence, and decay in fruit and vegetables, as well as monitoring and controlling the changes during food processing and storage (i.e., preservation, fermentation, cooking, and packaging). I warmly invite colleagues to submit their original research or review articles covering all aspects of volatile compounds research in the food sector (excluding pesticides), and/or the analytical methods used to identify, measure, and monitor these molecules.

Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds and Climate Change highlights the relationship between climate change and biogenic VOC and the impact they have on each other. Topics include the synthesis and emission of VOC in plants, how they respond to environmental stresses, how sustainable agricultural practices plants can be used to directly impact climate change beyond carbon sequestration, a review of biogenic VOCs as air pollutants, and the impact of biogenic VOC on clouds. This groundbreaking work is essential for anyone in climate change, global warming and cooling, atmospheric chemistry, clouds, fate and transport of chemicals in the atmosphere, air pollution, sustainability or agriculture. - Explains how volatile organic compound (VOC) production and emission in plants can ameliorate the consequences of climate change induced abiotic and biotic stresses - Comprehensively addresses the complex interactions between global warming, atmospheric composition and plant ecology beyond carbon sequestration - Reviews the use of biogenic VOC in sustainability

A comprehensive and mechanistic perspective on fruit ripening, emphasizing commonalities and differences between fruit groups and ripening processes. Fruits are an essential part of the human diet and contain important phytochemicals that provide protection against heart disease and cancers. Fruit ripening is of importance for human health and for industry-based strategies to harness natural variation, or genetic modification, for crop improvement. This book covers recent advances in the field of plant genomics and how these discoveries can be exploited to understand evolutionary processes and the complex network of hormonal and genetic control of ripening. The book explains the physiochemical and molecular changes in fruit that impact its quality, and recent developments in understanding of the genetic, molecular and biochemical basis for colour, flavour and texture. It is a valuable resource for plant and crop researchers and professionals, agricultural engineers, horticulturists, and food scientists. Summary: Reviews the physiochemical and molecular changes in fruit which impact flavour, texture, and colour Covers recent advances in genomics on the genetic, molecular, and biochemical basis of fruit quality Integrates information on both hormonal and genetic control of ripening Relevant for basic researchers and applied scientists

Food antioxidants are of primary importance for the preservation of food quality during processing and storage. However, the status of food depends on a balance of antioxidants and prooxidants occurring in food. Food Oxidants and Antioxidants: Chemical, Biological, and Functional Properties provides a single-volume reference on the effects of natur

This book presents chemical analyses of our most pressing waste, pollution, and resource problems for the undergraduate or graduate student. The distinctive holistic approach provides both a solid ground in theory, as well as a laboratory manual detailing introductory and advanced experimental applications. The laboratory procedures are presented at microscale conditions, for minimum waste and maximum economy. This work fulfills an urgent need for an introductory text in environmental chemistry combining theory and practice, and is a valuable tool for preparing the next generation of environmental scientists.

The volume deals with several aspects of the chemistry of both synthetic and natural organic compounds related to flavours and fragrances. It presents very recent results, some of them previously unpublished, and findings related to the chemistry of flavours and fragrances. It is organized in four sections: flavours and fragrances of foodstuffs, essential oils and other natural products from plants, applied aspects of flavour and fragrance production and detection, analytical aspects of flavour and fragrance isolation and identification. It should be of interest to academic and applied scientists in the field of organic chemistry, phytochemistry, analytical chemistry and food science.