Phytochemical Dictionary: A Handbook of Bioactive Compounds from Plants, Second Edition

Description

A vast array of natural organic compounds, the products of primary and secondary metabolism, occur in plants. The purpose of this dictionary is to provide basic information, including structural formulae, on plant constituents, with emphasis on those that are biologically active. This text profiles over 3000 substances from phenolics and alkaloids through carbohydrates and plant glycosides to oils and triterpenoids. For each substance, the author presents the trivial name, synonyms, structural type, chemical structure showing stereochemistry, molecular weight and formula, natural occurrence, biological activity and commercial or other use. Key references are provided for each class and subclass. It also reviews antifungal agents, with CAS numbers wherever possible, for all compounds to provide ready access to the original literature.

Jeffery B. Harborne is Professor and Head of the department of Botany (School of Plant Sciences) at the University of Reading, and is editor-in-chief of the international journal of plant biochemistry, Phytochemistry - Herbert Baxter, formerly at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist in London, is a consultant Information Scientist - Gerard Moss is a Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London. He works extensively on Organic Chemical Nomenclature for IUPAC, IUBMB, and BPC, as well as researching natural product chemistry.

"... an excellent primary source to alert one to known bioactivity in a group of compounds. It should be a much used text in any laboratory where the discovery and study of biologically active compounds is important." - Biochemical Systematics and Ecology - "... its acquistion for any group dealing reglarly with phytochemicals would be a good investment." - Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology - "... invaluable for those of us involved in reading the vast literature concerning plant natural products ... a delightful volume which certainly deserves a place in the office of every phytochemist." - Phytochemical Analysis