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Books in Agricultural and biological sciences

The Agricultural and Biological Sciences collection advances science-based knowledge for the improvement of animal and plant life and for secure food systems that produce nutritious, novel, sustainable foods with minimal environmental impact. Food Science titles include not only those products from agriculture but all other aspects from food production to nutrition, health and safety, chemistry to security, policy, law and regulation. Biological Sciences address animal behaviour and biodiversity, organismal and evolutionary biology, entomology, marine biology and aquaculture, plant science and forestry.

  • The Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis

    Chemistry, Pharmacology, Manufacturing, Use, and Control of Medicinal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Dosage Formulations
    • 2nd Edition
    • Brian F. Thomas + 2 more
    • English
    The Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis: Chemistry, Pharmacology, Manufacturing, Use, and Control of Medicinal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Dosage Formulations: Second Edition presents advanced methods in analytical chemistry to address modern issues surrounding cannabis-based products. Since the first edition, the cannabis industry has rapidly expanded its array of recreational and medicinal products. This volume provides crucial methods to support the manufacturing, labeling, and distribution of safe, consistent products with known chemical content and performance. It offers updated information on the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabis and cannabinoids and aims to resolve industry challenges by fostering understanding among scientists, public health officials, and non-scientist stakeholders.The book is valuable for professionals in analytical chemistry, pharmacology, medicine, and law enforcement, as well as for advanced academic courses in related fields.
  • Animal Stress Biology

    Applications across Natural and Man-made Systems
    • 1st Edition
    • Edward Narayan
    • English
    Animal Stress Biology: Applications across Natural and Man-made Systems provides the fundamental aspects of stress endocrinology with a major focus on the applications of stress research in animal welfare. Early sections introduce the basics of animal stress biology in major taxa. Latter sections explore how animal stress varies across species and settings and how this research can be applied to improve animal welfare. The book incorporates chapter summaries, key term definitions, global case studies, and discussion sections throughout, making it an indispensable resource to students and early career professionals, as well as specialists in agriculture, zoos, clinical research settings, and resource management.Stress plays an integral part in the maintenance of homeostasis in animals and is a useful measure of animal responses to management interventions across natural, agricultural, and clinical settings. Written by experts in the field of animal stress biology, this book is systematically structured for easy student navigation.
  • Wood-Water Interactions

    • 1st Edition
    • Samuel L. Zelinka + 3 more
    • English
    Wood-Water Interactions examines wood-water interactions in an intuitive approach to such a highly interdisciplinary topic. While wood-moisture interactions dominate nearly every facet of wood technology and wood use, many wood scientists have only a rudimentary understanding of these interactions as previous books on this topic are opaque and esoteric. Authored by experts in the field, the chapters follow a logical structure as well as case studies and vivid illustrations; the reader is motivated to understand updated information about the interaction of moisture with wood, the effect of changes in water status on the properties of wood raw material, and changes in the mechanical properties of wood during drying and humidification.
  • Spider Systematics and Taxonomy

    • 1st Edition
    • Dimitar Dimitrov + 1 more
    • English
    In the last decade or so, a large number of new spider species have been discovered and described, and many genera and families have been revised. Yet, a single comprehensive resource has been lacking to update spider taxonomy. Spider Systematics and Taxonomy aims to present these major developments in the field, as well as to show how technological advancements have driven these changes. Spider groups covered in most detail are those which have recently seen the most significant discoveries and changes. Later chapters highlight the impact of recent technological developments on our knowledge of spider taxonomy, with topics including phylogenomics, artificial intelligence, and novel imaging technologies. Finally, an outlook on future priorities for spider taxonomy research as well as expected developments will be explored.Spider Systematics and Taxonomy is a valuable reference with illustrations and vivid photographs included throughout to showcase spider diversity and relationships. This will serve as a key resource for arachnology researchers, graduate and postgraduate students wishing to come up to date on the latest advances in the field. Researchers in adjacent fields and those working in taxonomy generally will also benefit from this work.
  • Starch Blends and Their Applications

    Sustainable Packaging Solutions
    • 1st Edition
    • Rafael Audino Zambelli
    • English
    Starch Blends and Their Applications: Sustainable Packaging Solutions, a new volume in the Applications of Starches in Food and Packaging series, discusses the latest advancements in production techniques and modification strategies for enhancing the functionality and compatibility of starch blends in multicomponent systems. The book presents case studies and real-world applications of starch blends in food processing, biodegradable materials, biomedical applications, and more, showcasing their diverse functionalities and potential benefits. Chapters also address challenges, opportunities, and future trends in starch blends research and development, offering insights into emerging technologies and areas for further exploration.Written by leading experts in the field, this book equips its audience with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to navigate the complexities of starch blends and harness their potential in diverse applications.
  • Machine Learning and AI Technology for Agricultural Applications

    • 1st Edition
    • Kishore Chandra Swain + 5 more
    • English
    Machine Learning and AI Technology in Agricultural Applications offers a comprehensive overview of how artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming the agricultural industry. By delving into image processing and advanced data analysis, the book demonstrates how technology addresses modern agricultural challenges, including climate change, urbanization, and increasing global populations. It emphasizes the importance of integrating sensors and data collection methods to generate vast pools of information, which can be efficiently analyzed through AI-driven solutions. The text lays a strong foundation for understanding the role of technological innovation in supporting sustainable and secure food production.Beyond introducing core machine learning models such as random forest, support vector machines, logistic regression, and decision trees, the book highlights the centralization of critical agricultural data in the cloud. This resource benefits both students and seasoned agricultural scientists, providing practical insights for optimizing crop yields, monitoring soil and weather conditions, and managing resources like fertilizers and pesticides. The book also explores the rapid analysis of complex datasets, empowering users to make informed, timely decisions in real-world agricultural scenarios.
  • Supercritical Fluid Technology for Food Processing

    Fundamentals and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Julian Martínez + 2 more
    • English
    Supercritical Fluid Technology for Food Processing: Fundamentals and Applications aims to bring a didactic approach to supercritical fluid technologies, considering the specific aspects of their use in food processing, and including issues that must be considered in a food industrial plant. The book's chapters cover fundamentals and then move through extraction, separation, adsorption, impregnation, drying, physical processing, particle formation, coprecipitation, reaction, and enzyme and microorganism inactivation. It concludes with a chapter on current practice and future challenges, as well as a look at project formulation for developing new food products.Supercritic... fluids have gained increasing attention in the scientific community and industries where their application can lead to valuable products by means of green and sustainable processes. Food processing is one of the greatest application fields of supercritical technology, which can help produce new and natural ingredients. It is increasingly applied by research groups in universities, including food engineering schools.
  • Coral Reefs

    Their Complexity, Fragility and Future
    • 1st Edition
    • Robert Steneck
    • English
    Coral Reefs: Their Complexity, Fragility and Future offers an introduction to tropical coral reef ecosystems. It explores the combined geological, physical, chemical, and biological factors that make coral reefs among the most diverse and productive systems in the world. To unpack these complex systems, this book outlines the major players that create coral reefs, reconsiders how environmental and human forces shape reefs in the Anthropocene and identifies best practices for sustainable tourism and management of reef systems. Written by a leading expert of tropical reef systems, this book covers the biology, taxonomy, and ecological interactions of dominant reef organisms. Chapters systematically discuss the diversity of corals and the reef communities that they support, the key geological and biological factors driving their development, and critical processes of primary productivity, competition, predation, and herbivory. The book ends with a look to the future of coral reefs considering global change in the Anthropocene. Coral Reefs: Their Complexity, Fragility and Future combines fundamental concepts with novel research advances to explore the forces that shape coral reefs and predict the future of these ecosystems in the coming century. In discussing both the successes and failures of modern conservation efforts, this book offers a roadmap to guide stakeholders and industry leaders in developing policies surrounding the sustainable visitation and conservation of coral reef ecosystems. It is an indispensable resource for the next generation of marine scientists, conservationists, and policymakers concerned with the future of these critical ecosystems.
  • Plant-Induced Systemic Resistance

    Mechanisms and Applications Against Biotic and Abiotic Stressors
    • 1st Edition
    • Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan + 2 more
    • English
    Plant-Induced Systemic Resistance: Mechanisms and Applications Against Biotic and Abiotic Stressors examines how intrinsic defense signaling and state-of-the-art biotechnologies can fortify crops while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. This rigorous treatment unpacks the biochemical circuitry of induced immunity, the networks coordinating defense, and the innovative molecular biology tools that empower durable protection under a variety of stress triggers. Against the backdrop of rising pest pressures, evolving resistance patterns, and environmental concerns, it presents a forward-looking framework for integrating host defenses within comprehensive crop protection initiatives.This volume traces a clear trajectory from foundational concepts to precision management solutions, delivering data-driven methodologies, decision support tools, and scalable practices for sustainable agriculture, enriched by real-world case studies that illustrate adoption across research, extension, and industry contexts. Governance, regulatory considerations, and societal implications are woven throughout to ensure responsible innovation.Bridging lab-derived knowledge with field-ready interventions, this essential resource opens avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration to bolster plant resilience against various biotic and abiotic stressors, expanding the toolkit for integrated crop protection.
  • Marination

    A Novel Technology to Improve the Quality and Safety of Foods
    • 1st Edition
    • Ioannis Savvaidis + 1 more
    • English
    Marination: A Novel Technology to Improve the Quality and Safety of Foods presents the latest developments in marination as a method of intervention in providing an improvement in food quality and assuring the safety of perishable foods. Composed of 12 chapters, the title covers marination types and their applicability in various food types (fish/seafood, meats, plant-based fresh produce, dairy-based products). Besides presenting existing technologies to improve the quality of foods and extend shelf-life, the book also discusses marination as both a preservation technique and a technology to produce novel foods to consumers.Edited by a team of experts in the field, this book is a unique resource for researchers, scientists and industry personnel interested in natural techniques for preserving food and preventing the growth of food pathogens.