Zinc : Early Development, Applications, and Emerging Trends

Zinc: Early Development, Applications, and Emerging Trends is a comprehensive book covering various aspects of the metallic element zinc that has a significant role in the growth and survival of humans. The United Nations Organization has aptly declared it as a ‘Life-Saving Material’ since it helps in overcoming infections and strengthening the immune system. Zinc is an essential element next to iron, aluminum, and copper with abundant presence in nature, and is worth billions of dollars commercially. Besides the metal, its compounds and nanoparticles have also become attractive to researchers due to their enormous applications. The industrial and agricultural uses of the metal and its compounds are widespread.

An exclusive book covering all important aspects of zinc is yet to hit the market. This book, with contributions from experts in geology, chemistry, medicine (including dentistry and traditional systems), agriculture, veterinary science, biology, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology encompassing the latest developments in their fields related to zinc, fills this void. The uniqueness of the book is its interdisciplinary nature and potential use by researchers, students, and teachers of various specialties.

Features:

• Contributes to a better understanding of the complexities of zinc’s role in various branches of science
• Contains basic and practical information for a wider audience and researchers of different fields besides those interested in zinc
• Provides detailed information on the usefulness of zinc in prophylaxis and treatment of diseases in modern medicine, dentistry, and traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, as well as veterinary medicine
• Highlights zinc’s role in agriculture and food science with various crops and nutritive materials
• Includes chapters on fast-growing areas – nanotechnology and bioinformatics

Dr. Ethirajan Sukumar

Former Dean of Research, Saveetha Deemed University, Chennai (India)

He holds two Masters Degrees and PhD in Phytochemistry and Phytopharmacology from University of Madras (India) and had Post-Doctoral stint at University of Virginia (USA). He worked as Assistant Professor in Higher College of Technology (University of Technology and Applied Sciences), Muscat, Sultanate of Oman for 8 years. Prior to full-time teaching, he was a Scientist/Research Officer in the CSM Drug Research Institute for Ayurveda, Tamil Nadu Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicine Corporation and Central Research Institute of Siddha Medicine in Chennai (India) for more than 26 years. During his 40 plus years career in research, teaching, writing and administration. he has published 2 books, 4 book chapters and 85 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, translated 3 books (from a regional language to English) and presented many papers in various international and national forums and bagged Best Paper award twice. He supervised 30 students for Doctoral, MPhil, and Master’s programs in the multidisciplinary areas involving Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharma­cology and Environmental Science. He delivered 55 invited lectures in universities, colleges, and conferences and also served as Resource Person in many workshops and training programs. He chaired scientific sessions and delivered plenary lectures at international conferences and is associated with leading international/national journals as Associate Editor, Editorial Board Member and Peer Reviewer. His name is included in the International Directory of Experts in Spices, Herbs and Medicinal Plants Research published by the University of Massachusetts and in the Who’s Who in Science and Engineering by Marquis Inc., USA.

Dr. Krishnamurthy Vinothkumar

Head, Research & Development Division, VPro Biotech, Puducherry (India)

He received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Biotechnology from University of Madras and has about 20 years of teaching and research experience. He had earlier training in research at National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan on Japanese Society of Promotion Science Fellowship. He has published 23 research papers and presented 10 papers in Conferences and Seminars. He also trained students in their Masters and research courses. He is a Government of India nominated Member of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of a Medical College in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Presently, he is working in the development of vegetable-based healthcare products as Head of Research & Development Division.

Dr. Annamalai Manickavasaga

Associate Professor, University of Guelph, Canada

He obtained Masters in Agricultural Food Processing from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore (India) and PhD in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Manitoba, Canada. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PEng) in the province of Ontario, Canada. He worked with Mc Cain Foods Limited (Canada) as a Scientist and Associate Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman. At present, he is an Associate Professor (Food Processing) at the School of Engineering, University of Guelph. He has diversified research and management experience with academic institutions and industries. He has edited 9 books and published 101 peer reviewed journal papers and 20 book chapters. He has supervised/is supervising 30 scholars for their Masters and Doctoral degrees.