This book is a compilation of research and review papers presented in the National Seminar on‘Therapeutics of Marine Bioactive Compounds’ on 9th and 10th December 2013 organised by the Department of Home Science, Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed University, Gandhigram -624302, Dindigul District. The book has two sections namely Research and Review papers. Each section has papers on the therapeutics of marine bioactive compounds which showcases the value of natural marine resources, their biodiversity, identification, characterisation, isolation and processing for optimal use as anticancer, anti inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypertensive and cardioprotective compounds as well as functional foods in treating and controlling various diseases. Many of the marine bioactive compounds are undergoing preclinical evaluation; many are being used to patients as part of clinical trials.

Indian coastline is blessed with abundant resources hidden into the depths of the ocean and these marine resources can be tapped as functional foods, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications for treating the life threatening diseases.

This book would serve as a comprehensive text to students pursuing research in the field of marine bioactive compounds.

A. Thahira Banu, M.Sc., M.Phil., PhD., is presently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Home Science at Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, Dindigul District. Earlier she served as a faculty in the Department of Home Science teaching undergraduates and postgraduates at Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women, Kilakarai. During her career she has organised, participated and presented papers at seminars, conferences and workshops in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has also completed two major and one minor project funded by UGC, New Delhi. She has also authored the book Dietary Fibre Content of South Indian Foods (Lambert Academic Publishing, Heinrich, Germany). Somishon Keishing, M.Sc., is presently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Home Science, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, Dindigul. She has 5 years of teaching experience. During her career she has actively participated and presented papers at seminars, conferences and workshops on Nutrition and Dietetics.