In this book we present recent studies that have been carried out on some widely used medicinal plants. The need for new and alternative treatments stem from the lack of efficiency of existing remedies for certain illnesses. We have compiled information that may be useful to researchers in their quest to develop new drugs.

A comprehensive collection of robust methods for the detection of pesticide compounds or their metabolites useful in food, environmental, and biological monitoring, and in studies of exposure via food, water, air, and the skin or lungs. The readily reproducible methods range from gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection and other classic detectors, to capillary electrophoresis and immunochemical or radioimmunoassay methods. The authors have focused on extraction and cleanup procedures, in order to develop and optimize more fullyautomated and miniaturized methods, including solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and on-line tandem liquid chromatography (LC/LC) trace enrichment, among others. The protocols offer step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Ethnobotany includes the traditional use of plants in different fields like medicine and agriculture. This book incorporates important studies based on ethnobotany of different geographic zones. The book covers medicinaland aromatic plants, ethnopharmacology, bioactive molecules, plants used in cancer, hypertension, disorders of the central nervous system, and also as antipsoriatic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiurolithiatic. The book will be useful for a diverse group of readers including plant scientists, pharmacologists, clinicians, herbalists, natural therapy experts, chemists, microbiologists, NGOs and those who are interested in traditional therapies.

Enhanced concern for the quality and safety of food products, increased preference for natural products, and stricter regulations on the residual level of solvents, all contribute to the growing use of supercritical fluid technology as a primary alternative for the extraction, fractionation, and isolation of active ingredients. As a solvent-free process, supercritical fluid technology is a popular answer for the functional foods and nutraceutical sector, one of the fastest growing consumer driven markets. Recent advancements in the technology and increased utilization of the process demand a comprehensive, single-source review of current and future trends in supercritical fluid technology. Compiling contributions from international experts in the field, Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Nutraceuticals and Bioactive Compounds presents the state-of-the-science in the extraction and fractionation of bioactive ingredients by supercritical fluids. Focusing on implemented industrial processes and trends, it reviews the fundamentals of the technology and examines the economics of supercritical fluid extraction systems and processes. Over the course of twelve chapters, the book presents the supercritical fluid extraction processes in edible oils, including fish oils and specialty oils; herbs, such as Latin American plants and those used in Traditional Chinese Medicine; algae; spices; antioxidants and essential oils; as well as the processing of micro and nano-scale materials by supercritical fluid technology. Each chapter covers the major active components in the target material, including chemical, physical, nutritional, and pharmaceutical properties; an analysis of the specific supercritical fluid process used; a comparison of traditional processing methods versus supercritical fluid technology; and a set of conclusions with supporting data and insight.

Ethnobotany: Local Knowledge and Traditions discusses various plants that have actually been used in traditional medicine for a specific ailment. It desribes the biological effectiveness (activities) related to each "sickness" which have been scientifically verified. This book will also discuss the bioactivities established/determined that are promising and have potential. Finally, this book will be an appropriate consultation tool for scientists/professionals/experts such as ethnobotanists, botanists, cell/molecular biologists, chemists, pharmacists, pharmacologists, environmentalists/ecologists.

Enhanced concern for the quality and safety of food products, increased preference for natural products, and stricter regulations on the residual level of solvents, all contribute to the growing use of supercritical fluid technology as a primary alternative for the extraction, fractionation, and isolation of active ingredients. As a solvent-free process, supercritical fluid technology is a popular answer for the functional foods and nutraceutical sector, one of the fastest growing consumer driven markets. Recent advancements in the technology and increased utilization of the process demand a comprehensive, single-source review of current and future trends in supercritical fluid technology.

Compiling contributions from international experts in the field, Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Nutraceuticals and Bioactive Compounds presents the state-of-the-science in the extraction and fractionation of bioactive ingredients by supercritical fluids. Focusing on implemented industrial processes and trends, it reviews the fundamentals of the technology and examines the economics of supercritical fluid extraction systems and processes. Over the course of twelve chapters, the book presents the supercritical fluid extraction processes in edible oils, including fish oils and specialty oils; herbs, such as Latin American plants and those used in Traditional Chinese Medicine; algae; spices; antioxidants and essential oils; as well as the processing of micro and nano-scale materials by supercritical fluid technology.

Each chapter covers the major active components in the target material, including chemical, physical, nutritional, and pharmaceutical properties; an analysis of the specificsupercritical fluid process used; a comparison of traditional processing methods versus supercritical fluid technology; and a set of conclusions with supporting data and insight.

This volume provides a contemporary overview of new strategies for traditional medicine development, of the importance of cataloging ethnomedical information, of determining the active principles, and of examining the genetic diversity and range of actions of traditional medicines. It discusses the challenges of using traditional medicines for diseases where access to modern medicine is limited, and the research areas needed to improve quality, safety and efficacy for enhancing healthcare. The book affirms the importance of traditional medicines as an essential and integral component of healthcare systems, and the vast opportunities that exist for their evidence-based development.

Ethnobotany: Local Knowledge and Traditions discusses various plants that have actually been used in traditional medicine for a specific ailment. It desribes the biological effectiveness (activities) related to each "sickness" which have been scientifically verified. This book will also discuss the bioactivities established/determined that are promising and have potential. Finally, this book will be an appropriate consultation tool for scientists/professionals/experts such as ethnobotanists, botanists, cell/molecular biologists, chemists, pharmacists, pharmacologists, environmentalists/ecologists.

Ethnobotany includes the traditional use of plants in different fields like medicine and agriculture. This book incorporates important studies based on ethnobotany of different geographic zones. The book covers medicinaland aromatic plants, ethnopharmacology, bioactive molecules, plants used in cancer, hypertension, disorders of the central nervous system, and also as antipsoriatic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiurolithiatic. The book will be useful for a diverse group of readers including plant scientists, pharmacologists, clinicians, herbalists, natural therapy experts, chemists, microbiologists, NGOs and those who are interested in traditional therapies.