This book reviews the latest research on bioproducts from various economically important insects, such as silkworms, honey bees, lac and drosophila, and termites, and discusses their general, biomedical and industrial applications in detail. It includes chapters focusing on insects as a food source, probiotics, silk-based biomaterials, insect pheromones, insects as biomedicine source, pupa oil chemistry, non-protein compounds from Lepidopteran insects, insect chitin and chitosan, polyphenols and flavonoids. Model insects like Bombyx mori or bees were domesticated in Asian countries thousands of years ago. Over time, natural products from these animals became industrialized and today they attracting increasing attention thanks to their sustainability and their manifold applications in agriculture and biomedicine. The book is intended for entomologists, material scientists, natural product researchers and biotechnologists.

This book overviews the role of insects in providing various human, environmental, recreational, aesthetic, and cultural services. It presents a comprehensive account of insect service providers to show different aspects of insects and cultivate the appreciation of insects. Insects are beneficial to humans as ecofriendly tools, as parasitoids and predators in the biological control of insect pests and vectors, reducing the use of agrochemicals in modern agriculture and protecting the environment. Insects facilitate crop pollination and increase the agricultural yield. They are farmers’ friends, and serve as food for the human population worldwide, provide pharmaceuticals, take part in ecosystem services, and work as scavengers. Insects are used in disease therapy and wound healing. They are also helpful in criminal investigations and are the best models for research and technology innovations. Insects also yield various silks, lac, honey, propolis, wax, etc., promoting insect tourism, recreations, and culture. This contributed volume focuses on these different beneficial aspects of insects in human life. This book will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students of entomology, agricultural zoology, researchers, and anyone interested in insects, including policy planners.

Chitosan-based hybrid nanomaterials for environmental remediation focuses on chitosan, an abundantly occurring biopolymer, to present possibilities for the removal of contaminants and a greener approach towards a cleaner environment – combining nanotechnology with the deployment of naturally occurring materials to remedy environmental challenges. This book fills up research gaps, and the knowledge lagging in the context of chitosan-based nanomaterials. Considering the importance of naturally occurring materials with the applied knowledge of nanotechnology in the field of environmental restoration Covers properties, synthesis, and characterization of chitosan nanostructures and their utilization in the removal of contaminants Highlights the latest developments on the utilization of chitosan in environmental restoration Summarizes the importance of chitosan nanostructures for several applications

The reduction in nutritional quality of food due to microbial contamination is a problem faced by much of the developing world. To address contamination-related hunger and malnutrition, it is crucial to enforce quantitative and qualitative protection of agri-food commodities after harvesting, as well as to create low cost, rational strategies to protect post-harvest losses and nutritional properties of food products in a sustainable manner. Research and Technological Advances in Food Science provides readers with a systematic and in-depth understanding of basic and advanced concepts in food science and post-harvest technology, including the most up-to-date information about different natural food source sources (of microbial, plant, and animal origin) and their health benefits. It also highlights current research and technological advances in food science related to health, such as personalized food and nutrition, seafood nutraceuticals, meat processing and product development, microbial enzymes for the tenderization of meat, feruloylated oligosaccharides for human health, and the role of microbial antagonistic in post-harvest management of fruit. In addition, the book explores the role of modern tools and techniques such as instrumentation, nanotechnology, biotechnology, ultrasound in food processing and food-omics in food science. Research and Technological Advances in Food Science is an excellent resource for researchers, food scientists, biochemists, pharmacologists, nutritionists, policymakers, and students working in the food science domain. Includes information about different natural sources of food (microbes, plants and animal origin), and their health benefits Highlights current research and technological advances in food science related to health Brings the role of microbial antagonistic, plant volatiles and technological advances in the post-harvest management of food commodities

This book examines the interactions of nanomaterials with the biological system. The chapters of the book explore the natural and synthetic biomaterials that modulate immune responses for their applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Further, the book discusses the implications of the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles and their microenvironment on their interactions with biological systems. The chapters also present the recognitive capabilities of biomaterials for the development of novel strategies for the detection and treatment of autoimmune disorders. The book also introduces nanotechnology platforms for drug delivery and highlights current and emerging nanotechnologies that could enable novel classes of therapeutics. Towards the end, the book reviews the efficiency of drug-loaded nanoparticles in modulating the functioning of the biological milieu for improved disease treatment. Lastly, the book outlines the ethical issues regarding the use of nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo applications. Given its scope, it is a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers interested in understanding the biomedical applications of nanoparticles and their interactions with the biological milieu.

Have you ever wondered how plants attract certain insects, or how insects communicate with each other? This book explains the natural chemical compounds that determine the fascinating interactions between plants and insects providing a gentle and absorbing introduction to organic chemistry that is highly relevant to everyday life and to the natural world. Specific organic compounds and intriguing chemistry determine whether insects are keen on feeding on plants or avoid certain plants altogether. Some insects have learned to use plant compounds as their own defences, and some plants use digestive processes to use insects as nutritional supplements. Plant-insect interactions are vital for our food supply, for pollination of orchards or detrimentally in insect infestations of crops, as well as in applications like silk production. By the author of the popular book, The Chemistry of Plants: Perfumes, Pigments, and Poisons, this book benefits from Margareta Séquin’s vast experience leading field trips and seminars to botanical gardens and nature reserves, and teaching chemistry to beginners. Organic chemistry is often seen as a challenging, sometimes abstract field. This book makes chemistry exciting and accessible for readers interested in a deeper understanding of the natural world. The book is organized according to the increasing complexity of compounds introduced, and so it also serves as a useful teaching aid for undergraduate chemistry or biology courses, and as a supplementary text for students in plant sciences, ecology, and entomology, and in horticultural programs.