RECENT ADVANCES IN POLYPHENOL RESEARCH Plant polyphenols are secondary metabolites that constitute one of the most common and widespread groups of natural products. They are essential plant components for adaptation to the environment and possess a large and diverse range of biological functions that provide many benefits to both plants and humans. Polyphenols, from their structurally simplest forms to their oligo/polymeric versions (i.e. tannin and lignin), are phytoestrogens, plant pigments, antioxidants, and structural components of the plant cell wall. The interaction between tannins and proteins is involved in plant defense against predation, cause astringency in foods and beverages, and affect the nutritional and health properties of human and animal food plants. This seventh volume of the highly regarded Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research series is edited by Jess Dreher Reed, Victor Armando Pereira de Freitas, and Stephane Quideau, and brings together chapters written by some of the leading experts working in the polyphenol sciences today. Topics covered include: Chemistry and physicochemistry Biosynthesis, genetics and metabolic engineering Roles in plants and ecosystems Food, nutrition and health Applied polyphenols Distilling the most recent and illuminating data available, this new volume is an invaluable resource for chemists, biochemists, plant scientists, pharmacognosists and pharmacologists, biologists, ecologists, food scientists and nutritionists.

Plant polyphenols are secondary metabolites that constitute one of the most common and widespread groups of natural products. They express a large and diverse panel of biological activities including beneficial effects on both plants and humans. Many polyphenols, from their structurally simplest representatives to their oligo/polymeric versions (also referred to as vegetable tannins), are notably known as phytoestrogens, plant pigments, potent antioxidants, and protein interacting agents. Sponsored by the scholarly society Groupe Polyphenols, this publication, which is the fifth volume in this highly regarded Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research series, is edited by Kumi Yoshida, Veronique Cheynier and Stephane Quideau. They have once again, like their predecessors, put together an impressive collection of cutting-edge chapters written by expert scientists, internationally respected in their respective field of polyphenol sciences. This Volume 5 highlights some of the latest information and opinion on the following major research topics about polyphenols: Chemistry, physicochemistry & materials science Biosynthesis, genetic & metabolic engineering Plant & ecosystem, lignocellulosic biomass Food, nutrition & health Natural medicine & Kampo Tannins & their functions Chemists, biochemists, plant scientists, pharmacognosists and pharmacologists, biologists, ecologists, food scientists and nutritionists will all find this book an invaluable resource. Libraries in all universities and research institutions where these disciplines are studied and taught should have copies on their bookshelves.