Overview
- First book ever published on True Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume; synonym Cinnamomum verum (J Presl.) dealing comprehensively with the latest advances of its botany, genetics and biotechnology, agronomy, chemistry, pharmacology and industrial applications
- Chapters on historical and ethno-botanical aspects of cinnamon trade will be of particular interest to readers that enjoy the history and commerce of food science
- Specific focus on the molecular characterization, genetic barcoding and chemical profiling of True Cinnamon. These studies differentiate True Cinnamon from Cassia Cinnamon; the latter contains high content of coumarin which is carcinogenic. At present, both True Cinnamon and Cassia are sold as cinnamon in the global market. Consumer is not aware of the health hazards associated with regular consumption of Cassia as a spice
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (17 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Cinnamon is the common name for the spice obtained from the dried inner bark of several species of the genus Cinnamomum in the Lauraceae family. In world trade, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl Cinnamomum burmannii dominate, but it is of a different quality to ‘true’ or ‘Ceylon’ cinnamon produced from Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (C. verum J. Presl), with the latter much easier to process, giving a more delicate, sweeter flavor with nuances of clove, but more importantly with only traces (often below detection thresholds) of coumarin, compared with 5–7 g/kg in other species. Cinnamon has been a popular and expensive spice in many civilizations, including ancient Egypt, Rome and in 14th and 15th century Europe, where it was used primarily to preserve meat for its antibacterial properties, fine aroma and flavor. Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in mummification process due to its antibacterial properties and fragrance. The quest for cinnamon brought many explorers to Ceylon, whose ancient history is intertwined with the cinnamon trade. Ancient Egyptians and Romans used cinnamon as a valued spice and as an incense.
In recent years, much research has been conducted in crop improvement, processing and value addition in cinnamon. In addition to direct use as a condiment/spice, cinnamon has found a multitude of uses in the food and beverage, traditional medicine, pharmacology, nutraceutical and cosmetics industries. Ceylon cinnamon is unique in that oils distilled from the bark (major constituents are cinnamaldehyde and oleoresins), leaf (eugenol is the major constituent used in dentistry, perfumes, flavorings and as an antioxidant) and roots (camphor) have different industrial uses. Cinnamaldehyde is now a proven natural bactericide widely used in food and beverage industry, effective against Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. Thus, it has become an important natural component of organic fruit and vegetable juices to enhance microbial safety of these nutritious beverages.
Because of its manifold uses, cinnamon is an important crop. There have been many recent publications on its ethnobotany, genetics, crop improvement, agronomy, processing, biotechnology, chemistry, food and medicinal uses, and industrial applications. However, one book condensing all these findings is lacking. Our publication, with chapters devoted to all these aspects of cinnamon written by experts in these fields, condenses current knowledge into a single source and contribute to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and technology. Contributors to the book constitute internationally renowned senior scientists and academics with hands-on experience as well as movers and shakers of industry, thereby striking a right balance between theory and practice. Therefore it is a valuable source for students, teachers, scientists, planners policy makers, practicing agriculturists and industrialists, and a prizedacquisition to any library in higher education institutions, R & D institutions and public and private sector institutions in agriculture and allied fields.Editors and Affiliations
About the editors
Dr Ranjith Senaratne is a Professor and Chair of Department of Crop Science at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. His present research and professional interests mainly center around building eco-friendly, tech-savvy climate-resilient agriculture, disaster risk reduction, higher education and university outreach.
Dr Ranjith Pathirana is a team leader at the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited. His research focuses on cell and tissue culture applications for crop improvement, germplasm conservation and elucidating biochemical pathways. He is also a consultant on cryopreservation and cryotherapy, and plant mutation breeding for several institutes around the world.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Cinnamon
Book Subtitle: Botany, Agronomy, Chemistry and Industrial Applications
Editors: Ranjith Senaratne, Ranjith Pathirana
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54426-3
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-54425-6Published: 26 January 2021
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-54428-7Published: 26 January 2022
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-54426-3Published: 25 January 2021
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XX, 442
Number of Illustrations: 20 b/w illustrations, 129 illustrations in colour
Topics: Plant Breeding/Biotechnology, Food Science, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture, Medicinal Chemistry