Book Review pubs.acs.org/jnp
Review of Biology and Chemistry of Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus L. Biology and Chemistry of Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus L. by S. J. Kays (University of Georgia) and S. F. Nottingham (United Kingdom). CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA. 2008. xvii + 478 pp. $139.96. 18.5 × 26 cm. ISBN 978-1-4200-4495-9.
T
his book is a very detailed, broad overview of Jerusalem artichoke, its history, botany, agronomy, chemistry, uses, and economics. Richly referenced in each chapter, the book also contains an appendix listing briefly summarizing all patents dealing with the Jerusalem artichoke. Fourteen chapters make up the book; they can be grouped by general topics. The history and botany area includes an introduction (Ch 1), origin and history (Ch 2), and taxonomic considerations (Ch 3, 4). Agronomic matters covered include genetic resources and breeding (Ch 8), propagation (Ch 9), developmental biology and yield (Ch 10), pollinators, pests, and diseases (Ch 11), agronomic factors (Ch 12), and storage issues (Ch 13). Two chapters on the uses of Jerusalem artichoke focus on human and animal food (Ch 6) and biofuels (Ch 7). The economics of production are described in Ch 14, while the topic of chemistry is discussed in Ch 5. The chapter on chemistry briefly mentions the low levels of protein present in the tubers and the near absence of fat, but the majority of the chapter is spent on the carbohydrate content, particularly inulin and its chemical reactions and modifications. There is no mention of any phenolics or terpenoids, which are so characteristic of many members of the Asteraceae, or any other secondary metabolites. The book is well written and includes a wealth of data and references. However, its appeal is likely limited to researchers in the agricultural feedstock and biofuels sectors. Clearly, libraries in schools of agriculture should have a copy of this useful reference work.
John H. Cardellina, II
■
McCormick & Company, Inc., Hunt Valley, Maryland
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
© XXXX American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy
A
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00128 J. Nat. Prod. XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
