PHYTOCHEMICALS AS
NUTRACEUTICALS –
GLOBAL APPROACHES
TO THEIR ROLE IN
NUTRITION AND HEALTH

Since global recognition of the dietary guidelines that include increased consumption of
plant-based foods for the prevention of chronic diseases and maintaining good health,
there has been a considerable interest in the biologically active compounds that are
present in plant foods. These compounds have been referred to, among other terms, as
‘Phytochemicals’, ‘Phytonutrients’, ‘Nutraceuticals’ and ‘Functional ingredients”. They
include a multitude of compounds having different chemical identities, biological
activities and mechanisms of action. The scope of ‘Phytochemicals’ has expanded
beyond their initial applications to food to include therapeutics, pharmaceuticals and
cosmeceuticals. Although advancements have been made in the field of phytochemicals
in the past few decades, more information on the analytical methods of isolation and
characterization, their occurrence, biological activity, mechanisms of action and
applications to the food and other health industries need to be obtained through
systematic scientific investigations. Recognizing this need for more information, a plan
to publish a book that brings together up to date information on various aspects of
phytochemicals was initiated. This book is a collection of several articles that range in
scope from the diversity of their occurrence and chemical characteristics, analytical
challenges in their isolation and characterization, and the undertaking of basic and
clinical researches to evaluate their biological activities both in animal and human
health. The book provides a global perspective related to the phytochemicals present
not only in foods but also in medicinal plants. Internationally recognized authors that
have expertise in their own respective areas within the phytochemical discipline have
contributed to this book. Contents of this important and timely book are useful not
only to the researchers but also to health professionals, government regulatory
agencies and industrial personnel. It is with this vision that we present this book to
our readers and are confident that it will serve as a standard reference book in this
important field of human nutrition and health.