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This review updates and attempts to present the complex panorama of bioactive phytochemicals and functional foods. For such purpose and given the breadth of the field, it was necessary to survey a large volume of scientific literature. The different types of studies used to provide evidence for efficacy are described. The different groups of health-promoting substances (carotenoids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols and phytostanols, tocotrienols, organosulfur compounds, nondigestible carbohydrates) are presented with a discussion of the dietary sources and the chemical and biological properties that explain their modes of action. Functional foods of plant origin (broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, oat, flaxseed, tomato, soybean, citrus, berries, tea, grapes and wine, garlic) are discussed in terms of their health effects, the phytochemicals responsible and the body of evidence supporting such effects. The review emphasizes the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables for the general state of health of the population and points out some technical and scientific opportunities that can be explored in developing countries.Keywords: functional foods, phytochemicals, fruits and vegetables, health promotion, healthy eating, degenerative diseasesSubstâncias fitoquímicas e alimentos funcionais. Situação atual a perspectivas para países emergentes.Esta revisão atualiza e tenta apresentar o panorama complexo de fitoquímicos bioativos e alimentos funcionais. Neste contexto e considerando a amplitude do assunto, foi necessário relacionar um vasto volume de literatura científica. São descritos os diferentes tipos de estudos utilizados para obter evidência de eficácia. Os diferentes grupos de substâncias que promovem saúde (carotenóides, compostos fenólicos, fitoesteróis e fitoestanóis, tocotrienóis, compostos organosulfurados, carboidratos não digeríveis) estão apresentados com uma discussão das fontes alimentícias e das propriedades químicas e biológicas que explicam os seus modos de ação. Alimentos funcionais de origem vegetal (brócoli e crucíferas, aveia, linhaça, tomate, soja, citrus, amoras, chá, uva e vinho, alho) estão discutidos em termos dos seus efeitos na saúde, dos fitoquímicos responsáveis e o conjunto de evidências que apóia tais efeitos. A revisão enfatiza a importância de consumir frutas e hortaliças para o estado geral de saúde da população e aponta oportunidades técnicas e científicas que podem ser exploradas nos países em desenvolvimento.Palavras-chave: alimentos funcionais, fitoquímicos, frutas, hortaliças, alimentação saudável, promoção da saúde, doenças degenerativas.

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Biofuels production is intended to address shortage on fuel supply. This study assessed the energetics and water inventory of the Philippine bioethanol production from sugarcane, aiming to provide a definitive value from where studies for economic assessment for this system could pick up. A 30-million-liter-per-year (MLPY) processing facility was designed using local field and factory data, from surveys and immersion reports. Assessment showed that sugarcane bioethanol processing facility with co-generation and wastewater treatment units gains a net energy equivalent to 18.62 MJ L-1 of bioethanol produced, with an energy returned on energy invested ratio of 2.75. The net energy realized from the production compensates the energy expended during the construction of the bioethanol plant within about eight months of operation. Water is being used up at a rate of 2,832.22 L per L of ethanol produced or 133.60 L per MJ or 197,826.09 L per Mg of cane processed, accounting the water used for plantation and the factory. The water inventory in the construction level amounts to 952.64 ML. The production of bioethanol from sugarcane is practical, energy-wise, but its water consumption might make the industry unviable in locations where water is scarce.