Foreword

In the last decade, bioactive compounds, particularly peptides from underutilized grains, have been the subject of extensive scientific and technological research worldwide. The results achieved try to respond to the interest of human beings in consuming nutritious and healthy foods that contribute to their well-being, and to biodiversity, and community development.

The advancement of knowledge in this field has given rise to the publication of numerous articles, reviews, chapters, and books, mainly in recent years. However, challenges and questions constantly arise new and sophisticated methodologies, and innovative visions based on interdisciplinary collaboration that stimulate the writing of new books.

One such example is “Potential Health Benefits of Biologically Active Peptides Derived from Underutilized Grains: Recent Advances in their Isolation, Identification, Bioactivity and Molecular Analysis.”

Its contents are divided into three main axes:

• Progress made in aspects related to the identification, production, bioactivity and molecular characterization of bioactive peptides.
• Identification and description of the main biological activities exhibited by peptides encrypted in the protein sequences of the main grains, whose use is scarce in human nutrition, despite the fact that in several cases the nutritional characteristics of their proteins are better than those of cereals or other grains of massive consumption.
• The possibilities that these peptides have of being applied in different fields such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medicine, whether in the design and formulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, antimicrobials and antivirals.

Mexico in particular, as well as other countries in the American continent, have strong historical ties with most of the underutilized crops included in this publication, which have a high nutritional value and great potential in the world of functional foods, a fact that is reflected in the text.

This book has been rigorously written and combines the knowledge and insights developed to date by researchers around the world. Reading it will provide up-to-date knowledge and will surely raise questions and pose new challenges at a scientific level, as well as stimulate the development of novel products that have an impact on the benefit of society.

The authors of the different chapters have solid knowledge about the different topics addressed, which is evident in the clarity and depth of the treatment of the topics.

It is a compliment that they have chosen me to write this prologue.