After more than 30 years, The Book of Fructans represents the first and most comprehensive coverage of fructans generated by pioneer glycoscientists from the field. It outlines the fundamentals of all fructan types, their terminology, chemical and structural-functional features, biosynthetic enzymes that make and break them, their presence and possible roles in nature, their evolutionary aspects and their microbial, enzymatic, and plant-based production. Additional sections cover the applications of fructans, specifically, the agro/chemical and biomedical applications, health, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, fructans in food and feed, fructan nanotechnology, the immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of fructans and the perspectives for fructans in circular economies and sustainable societies. Intended for scientists, entrepreneurs, academicians and students working in related fields, this book will be a useful resource for all who wish to learn more about these extraordinary carbohydrates.
Key Features
- Combines all aspects of fructans in a single volume
- Covers fundamentals, applications and society
- Introduces ‘Fructans for Life’ concepts
Section 1: The Fundamentals
1. Fructans: The Terminology
2. Chemical and Structural-Functional Features of Fructans
3. Macromolecular Properties of Fructans
4. Fructan enzymes in microbes and plants: structure, function and product formation
5. Evolutionary Aspects of the Fructan Syndrome
6. Fructans: Physiology and Development
7. The Role of Fructans in Stress Responses
8. Relation of plants with other kingdoms: the unique role of fructans
9. Traditional Fermented Foods: Introducing "the Fructan Link"
Section 2: Applications
10. Agrochemical Applications of Fructans
11. Fructan Production Processes
12. The Fructan Industry
13. Health benefits of inulin- and agavin-type fructans in food: impact on microbiota, immune and gut barrier function
14. Pre-clinical and Clinical Fructan Studies
15. Levan as a Functional Polymer for Biomedical Applications
16. Fructans in Personal Care Products
Section 3: Society
17. Antiviral effects of Fructans
18. Fructan Accumulators in a Changing World Climate: Chances for New Functional Plants
19. Fructans for Life: Conclusions and Perspectives
