Plant Lipids

Plant lipids are important sources of energy and nutrition to human beings. They are the only sources of essential fatty acids to a major section of the population. Lipids are concentrated sources of energy. Plants lipids are cholesterol free and are of better quality than animal lipids. Plant sterols mimic cholesterol and are useful in reducing cholesterol. In recent years these lipids have gained importance in non-food category also. They serve as fuel and also as lubricants. They are also an important ingredient of cosmetics. Lipids are components of plant membranes and play a highly useful role in plant growth and metabolism. They are key constituents required for photosynthesis. Basic aspects of lipids, their components , derivatives, their chemistry and biochemistry have been dealt in detail. Some aspects of major and minor plant lipids and their utility has also been presented. Similarly the analytical details of lipophilic constituents has also been considered. The contents includes : 􀁺 Introduction 􀁺 Lipids 􀁺 Fatty Acids 􀁺 Phospholipids 􀁺 Glycoliids 􀁺 Terpenes 􀁺 Phenolics􀁺 Sterols 􀁺 Waxes 􀁺 Plant Membranes 􀁺 Metabolism 􀁺 Lipid Metabolism 􀁺 Lipid Soluble Vitamins 􀁺 Lipid Functions 􀁺 Factors Affecting Lipid Composition 􀁺 Nutritional Quality of Lipids 􀁺 Oleochemicals 􀁺 Bioenergy 􀁺 Lipids from Crop Plants 􀁺 Lipids from Other Plants 􀁺 Analysis of Lipid Constituents. This book should be useful to the students and researchers in Plant Science and Plant Biochemistry apart from those involved in Food and Nutrition.

Read from the printed jacket. Pending editorial approval.