1st Edition

Biology and Chemistry of Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberosus L.

    496 Pages 30 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    A unique plant on many levels, the distinctive properties of the Jerusalem artichoke, or Helianthus tuberosus L., present novel answers to some of today's most pressing problems. The potential of Jerusalem artichoke as a source for inulin, a fructose polymer that may provide dietary health benefits for obesity, diabetes, and several other health issues and the possible use of the crop for biofuels are drawing tremendous recent interest. With its ready cultivation and minimal pest and disease problems, Jerusalem artichoke is an underutilized resource that possesses the potential to meet major health and energy challenges.

    A comprehensive, up-to-date reference, Biology and Chemistry of Jerusalem Artichoke presents the unique biological and chemical properties that distinguish it from other crops. Citing a diverse cross-section of references, it reviews the history, classification, morphology, and anatomy of the plant. It details inulin chemistry addressing properties and structure, extraction, and modification using microbes, enzymes, and a wide range of chemical processes. The book examines the use of Jerusalem artichokes as a biofuel and the role of inulin derived from the crop in combating obesity and diabetes, as well as promoting bone, blood, bowel, and immune health. A comprehensive chapter addresses genetic resources, breeding, breeding methods, hybridization, and the heritability of important traits. The book details developmental biology in terms of maximizing yield and determining resource allocation as well as controlling pests and disease. It concludes with practical information on agronomic methods, storage, the economics of crop production, and future prospects for utilization.

    Gathering a wealth of information into a single volume and drawing on the authors' 25 years of research, Biology and Chemistry of Jerusalem Artichoke provides the most comprehensive resource to date on this extremely useful crop.

    Introduction: An Underutilized Resource

    Nomenclature, Origin and History
    Nomenclature for Helianthus tuberosus L.
    Origin
    History

    Classification, Identification, Distribution
    Classification
    Identification
    Distribution

    Plant Morphology and Anatomy
    Aboveground Plant Parts
    Belowground Plant Parts
    Morphological Differences between Cultivars and Clones

    Chemical Composition and Inulin Chemistry
    Tuber Composition
    Occurrence of Inulin in Plants
    Composition, Structure and Properties of Inulin and Inulin Oligomers
    Analysis of Inulin Composition
    Inulin Extraction, Isolation, Purification, Fractionation, Drying and Storage
    Sources of Inulin
    Uses for Native and Fractionated Inulin
    Microbial and Enzymatic Modification of Inulin
    Chemical Modification of Inulin

    Value in Human and Animal Diets
    In Human Diets
    In Animal Diets

    Biomass and Biofuel
    Biomass
    Direct Combustion
    Biological Conversion

    Genetic Resources, Breeding, and Cultivars
    Breeding Programs
    Cytology
    Interspecific Hybrids
    Controlled Crosses
    Traditional Breeding
    Breeding Techniques
    Flowering Time Manipulation
    Irradiation
    Selection Criteria
    Selection Sequence
    Heritability of Important Traits
    Transgenic Plants
    Genetic Resources
    Cultivars and Clones

    Propagation
    Tubers
    Rhizomes
    Tissue culture
    Slips
    Cuttings
    Seed

    Developmental Biology, Resource Allocation, and Yield
    Developmental Stages
    Photosynthesis
    Respiration
    Assimilate Allocation Strategy
    Carbon Transport
    Sink Strength in Relation to Allocation
    Assimilate Allocation and Redistribution
    Fructan Metabolism
    Additional Metabolic Pathways
    Molecular Genetics
    Yield
    Growth Analysis and Modeling
    Environmental Factors Affecting Yield
    Production Factors Affecting Yield

    Pollinators, Pests and Diseases
    Insect Pollinators
    Insect Pests
    Molluscs, Nematodes and Other Pests
    Fungal, Bacterial and Viral Diseases

    Agronomic Practices
    Planting Date
    Planting
    Weed Control
    Fertilization
    Irrigation
    Harvesting and Handling

    Storage
    Storage Options
    Storage Conditions
    Storage Losses
    Alterations in Composition during Storage
    Controlled Atmosphere Storage
    Irradiation

    Economics
    Crop Production and Storage
    Biofuel Production
    Inulin
    Future Prospects for Utilizing Jerusalem Artichoke

    Appendix
    Patents

    Biography

    Stanley J. Kays, Stephen F. Nottingham

    ... a wealth of information of exemplary quality and quantity .... The presentation of its contents alone takes up seven pages. The authors have compiled an in-depth account of a rather unique plant species. ... the author's own extensive bibliography of more than 2,000 references ... is representative for the level of detail and the wealth of information that can be found throughout the publication. It is also representative of the immense expertise of the two authors who put 25 years of research into this timely review of research. ... This publication serves as a valuable single source reference for all aspects of Jerusalem artichoke, and can only be highly recommended.

    —Thomas Brendler, Plantaphile, Berlin, Germany, in Economic Botany, 2009, 63(4)

    …The authors consider [the Jerusalem artichoke] to be an underexploited resource and have cited a ‘diverse and representative cross section of publications’ to provide access to the relevant literature and patents. Indeed, there is a list of patents on Jerusalem artichoke relating to medical and veterinary, food, drink and nutraceuticals, animal feed, non-food industrial applications as well as to genetic manipulation and biotechnology, cultivation, and plant breeding. …The key chapter is on genetics and plant breeding, as utilization will be dependent on such advances… the book represents a very useful account of the state of the knowledge of the Jerusalem artichoke.

    —Richard Wilkins in Experimental Agriculture, Vol. 44, 2008

    …a very useful source of up-to-date information for both, experimental botanists, biochemists and physiologists, as well as for specialists, who are interested in the breeding, cultivation and many-sided utilization of this crop.

    Biologia Plantarium

    If we look to Earth plant resources, we can find that nature’s storehouse is truly huge. …Some of these ‘‘alternative crops’’ are the wild plants, but some of them, like Jerusalem artichoke, are old species cultivated in ancient time. …summarizes our knowledge about nomenclature, origin, and history of Helianthus tuberosus. …a very interesting overview on physiological processes determining photosynthetic productivity of Jerusalem artichoke plants. …provides a detailed description of the latest research on this ‘old-new alternative’ crop, is well and systematically organized, reader-friendly with many clear tables, graphs, draws and some photos and is carefully edited. Each chapter is supplemented with rich bibliography, but at the end of book a list of issued patents that refer to Jerusalem artichoke and a subject and Latin binomials indexes are included. I would highly recommend this publication to all who are interested in alternative crops, for agriculture educators and students as well as for farmers because this book covers the subject comprehensive on scientific and practical point of view.

    —D. Choluj, in Acta Physiol Plant, 2008