Health Benefits of Secondary Phytocompounds from Plant and Marine Sources

Book excerpt: This new volume, Health Benefits of Secondary Phytocompounds from Plant and Marine Sources, looks at a selection of important issues and research topics on phytochemicals in plant-based therapeutics, covering bioactive compounds from both plant and marine sources. Natural products and their bioactive compounds are increasingly utilized in preventive and therapeutic medication, as pharmaceutical supplements, as well as in functional foods and nutraceuticals, all of which have potentially positive effects on health and have preventive and curative properties for various diseases and health conditions. The first section of the book, on Bioactive Compounds from Plant Sources, describes the concept of extraction of bioactive molecules from plant sources, both conventional and modern extraction techniques, available sources, biochemistry, structural composition, and potential biological activities. Advanced extraction techniques, such as enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, pressurized liquid extraction, and super critical extraction techniques, are described in detail.