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Therapeutic, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Acorns (Quercus Nuts): A Review

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Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits and Nuts

Part of the book series: Reference Series in Phytochemistry ((RSP))

Abstract

The current global food system must adapt to the expected growth of world population. This adaptation will probably include an increased consumption of edible wild foods, due to their richness in micronutrients and bioactive compounds, besides providing a cost-effective and sustainable way of improving caloric food security. Acorns (Quercus nuts) have been presenting an important role on the rural economy. In fact, their nutritional value; high contents in bioactive compounds; biological activity such as antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and cardioprotective properties; and use in the treatment of specific diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease have raised the interest in integrating acorns into the human diet. In the present review, we present the chemical constituents of acorns and their biological activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal

    João C. M. Barreira & Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira

  2. Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Ana F. Vinha & M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira

Authors
  1. Ana F. Vinha
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  2. João C. M. Barreira
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  3. Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira
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  4. M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to João C. M. Barreira .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Karnatak University, Dharwad, India

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India

    Vishwas Anant Bapat

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Botany, Karnatak University, Dharwad, India

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

  2. Department of Horticulture, Division of Animal, Horticultural and Food Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Chenogju, Republic of Korea

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

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Vinha, A.F., Barreira, J.C.M., Ferreira, I.C.F.R., Oliveira, M.B.P.P. (2020). Therapeutic, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Acorns (Quercus Nuts): A Review. In: Murthy, H., Bapat, V. (eds) Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits and Nuts. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06120-3_46-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06120-3_46-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-06120-3

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