Book excerpt: The first book to be published on the subject of fructans, Science and Technology of Fructans provides a thorough treatment of this carbohydrate from recent research in a broad range of disciplines to applications in crop, animal and food science. This volume includes a detailed glossary and offers a terminology system that can be used by all fructan scientists. It also reviews modern analytical methods and Japanese and European technologies for commercial production and use of fructans. Topics covered by contributors to Science and Technology of Fructans include chemical structure and characteristics, metabolism in microorganisms and plants, fructans in crop production and preservation and in human and animal diets, and production and utilization of microbial fructans and inulin. A chapter by J.S.D. Bacon and J. Edelman, who established the modern biochemistry of fructans in the mid-20th century, includes personal reminiscences of the early years of fructan research. Since this volume crosses all disciplinary boundaries of fructan research, Science and Technology of Fructans is indispensable to biochemists; carbohydrate chemists; analytical chemists; and crop, horticultural, animal, and food scientists. It will also be useful reading for nutritionists, agricultural extension workers, and members of the food industry.