Natural Antioxidants and Biocides from Wild Medicinal Plants

Plants produce secondary metabolites with herbicidal, insecticidal, fungicidal and antioxidant activities. These metabolites offer alternatives for the control of pests and diseases, and in some cases directly contribute to improve food quality. This book provides an up-to-date treatment of antioxidant and biocidal compounds mainly from Latin American plants. New antimicrobials, insecticidals, and antioxidants are compiled in a single source for the first time based on the research and knowledge of several internationally renowned research groups. The book is organized in three sections: Section One provides a general overview and perspectives on antioxidant, medicinal and biocidal plant compounds. Section Two provides information on plant antioxidants isolated from a wide range of species. Section Three provides insecticidal, antimicrobial and other biocidal activities based on peptides, phytoecdysteroids, alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids and other allelochemicals. This book will be a helpful reference for students, researchers and teachers interested in allelochemistry as well as the antioxidant and medicinal properties of Latin American Plants.