The present book collects selected contributions from researchers working in the field of food science, and participating at the second spring school for Food Quality, Safety and Technology, which was held in Botucatu (Sao Paulo, Brazil), from September 24th to 27th, 2012, at the Botucatu Campus of the Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio Mesquita Filho (UNESP). The goal of the conference was to provide a scientific forum covering large areas of agronomy, nutrition, food science and technology, veterinary and other areas related to food technology development. Teachers, professionals, graduate and post-graduate students in Food Science; Food and Agriculture Engineering; Veterinary, Science and Food Technology and related areas were addressed by providing an exchange of knowledge and technologies. The initiative aimed to establish uniform, globally recognized scientific principles on food safety and quality, which could be consistently applied to industry and production sectors and stakeholders, taking into account that effective food control systems are essential to protecting the health and safety of domestic consumers, to guaranteeing the safety and quality of foods entering international trade, and to ensuring that imported foods conform to national requirements."

As populations in many developed countries age and the burden of chronic disease increases, there remains a need to establish effective preventative measures. Fruit and vegetables are a natural source of vitamins and minerals which can contribute to good health. Understanding and optimising the nutraceutical properties of fruit and vegetables reviews the associated health benefits of key horticultural crops, including apples, broccoli and cranberries. The book provides authoritative discussions on the nutraceutical properties of the major phytochemical compounds, including antioxidants and flavonoids, and how these properties can be optimised to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. By providing a comprehensive insight into the human health benefits of fruit and vegetables, the book highlights the emergence of a more sustainable, alternative method to preventing the onset of disease with less reliance on overburdened healthcare systems.

The present book collects selected contributions from researchers working in the field of food science, and participating at the second spring school for “Food Quality, Safety and Technology,� which was held in Botucatu (São Paulo, Brazil), from September 24th to 27th, 2012, at the Botucatu Campus of the Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio Mesquita Filho� (UNESP). The goal of the conference was to provide a scientific forum covering large areas of agronomy, nutrition, food science and technology, veterinary and other areas related to food technology development. Teachers, professionals, graduate and post-graduate students in Food Science; Food and Agriculture Engineering; Veterinary, Science and Food Technology and related areas were addressed by providing an exchange of knowledge and technologies. The initiative aimed to establish uniform, globally recognized scientific principles on food safety and quality, which could be consistently applied to industry and production sectors and stakeholders, taking into account that effective food control systems are essential to protecting the health and safety of domestic consumers, to guaranteeing the safety and quality of foods entering international trade, and to ensuring that imported foods conform to national requirements.