Bio-farms for nutraceuticals. Functional food and safety control by biosensors. Preface.

1. The Nutra?Snacks Project: Basic Research and Biotechnological Programs on Nutraceutics Giuseppina Rea, Amina Antonacci, Maya Lambreva, Andrea Margonelli, Cecilia Ambrosi and Maria Teresa Giardi Abstract Rationale of the Nutra?Snacks Project Technological Innovations Conclusion 2. Overview of Diet?Gene Interactions and the Example of Xanthophylls Barbara Demmig?Adams and William W. Adams, III Abstract Introduction: Overview of Diet?Gene Interaction in Human Disease A Case Study: Xanthophylls and Their Synergism with Other Dietary Factors in Human Health-Protection against Eye Disease and Other Chronic Diseases Dietary Sources of Zeaxanthin and Lutein and Their Potential Enhancement 3. Therapeutic Potential of Dietary Polyphenols against Brain Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disorders Giovanni Scapagnini, Calogero Caruso and Vittorio Calabrese Abstract Introduction Curcumin Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Ethyl Ferulate Epigallocatechin?3?Gallate Conclusion 4. Plant Phenolics in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer Klaus W.J. Wahle, Iain Brown, Dino Rotondo, and Steven D. Heys Abstract Epidemiology of Plant Foods and Disease Incidence Anticancer Phytochemicals in Foods, Beverages and Spices Classification and Occurrence of Plant Phenolic Compounds Cellular Mechanisms Modified by Plant Phenolics That Can Reduce Carcinogenesis and Tumour Progression Conclusion 5. Endogenous Antioxidants and Radical Scavengers Angela Maria Rizzo, Patrizia Berselli, Stefania Zava, Gigliola Montorfano, Manuela Negroni, Paola Corsetto and Bruno Berra Abstract Introduction Endogenous Antioxidant Molecules Reactive Oxygen Species: Always Bad? Conclusion 6. A Nutritional Strategy for Reducing Disease and Obesity Risks Teresa Lavecchia, Paolo Petroni, Giuseppe Rodio and Riccardo Pina Abstract Introduction The Zone Diet Nutrition Strategy: General Outline Conclusion 7. Dietary Phytochemicals and Human Health Justyna Krzyzanowska, Anna Czubacka and WieslawOleszek Abstract Introduction Carotenoids Phenolic Compounds Phytoestrogens Polyunsatured Fatty Acids Conjugated Linoleic Acids Tocopherols and Tocotrienols Limonene Allicin and Diallyl Disulfide Glucosinolates Capsacinoids Conclusion 8. Bioactive Compounds from Northern Plants Anja Hohtola Abstract Introduction How External Factors Influence the Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites Research and Exploitation Examples of Northern Plants Containing Bioactive Compounds Conclusion 9. Nutraceutical Use of Garlic Sulfur?Containing Compounds Eleftherios Touloupakis and Demetrios F. Ghanotakis Abstract Introduction Garlic Chemical Compounds Garlic Biological Activities Alliin and Allicin Garlic Alliinase Garlic Supplements Layered Double Hydroxides Alginates Conclusion 10. Genetic Engineering to Enhance Crop?Based Phytonutrients (Nutraceuticals) to Alleviate Diet?Related Diseases Autar K. Mattoo, Vijaya Shukla, Tahira Fatima, Avtar K. Handa and Surender K. Yachha Abstract Introduction Diet and Human Diseases Phytonutrients and Antiproliferative Activity Genetic Engineering to Improve Nutrient (Nutraceutical) Content in Produce Proteins and Amino Acids Carotenoids Folates Vitamin C (Ascorbate) Polyphenolics Tocopherols Iron Conclusion 11. Perspective for the Use of Genetic Transformants in Order to Enhance the Synthesis of the Desired Metabolites: Engineering Chloroplasts of Microalgae for the Production of Bioactive Compounds Udo Johanningmeier and Dirk Fischer Abstract Introduction Microalgae as Transgenic Bioreactors Genetic Engineering of Plant and Microalgal Chloroplasts Expression of Recombinant Proteins in C. reinhardtii Chloroplasts Application to Food Technology Conclusion 12. Biological Elicitors of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Mode of Action and Use in the Production of Nutraceutics Simone Ferrari Abstract Introduction Biological Elicitors of Defence Responses in Plants Perception and Transduction of General Elicitors Emerging Techniques to Improve