Kurt Hostettmann Knihy

This new series, Methods in Plant Biochemistry, is an authoritative reference on current techniques in the various fields of plant biochemical research. Each volume in the series, under the expert guidance of a guest editor, addresses a particular group of plant compounds.**The most current and useful methods of analysis are described, with detailed discussions of the development, protocols, and suitability of each technique. Case treatments, diagrams, chemical structures, reference data, and properties are featured where appropriate, along with a full list of references to the specialist literature.**Conceived as a practical companion to the Biochemistry of Plants, edited by P.K. Stumpf and E.E. Conn, no plant biochemical laboratory can afford to be without this comprehensive and up-to-date reference. Addresses the laboratory analysis of all major plant compounds**Illustrates authoritative and detailed practical instructions and recipes for analytical methods**Describes assays suitable for showing biological or pharmacological properties in crude plant extracts

In recent years, the search for bioactive compounds from natural sources has gained significant attention. The success of plant-derived products like paclitaxel in tumor therapy and artemisinin for malaria has spurred numerous research initiatives, particularly in industry. A substantial effort is focused on generating novel lead molecules from vegetable, marine, and microbial origins through high-throughput screening protocols. When promising candidates are identified, rapid isolation methods for target compounds become crucial. Both industry and academia require efficient preparative chromatographic techniques and expertise in their application. Purified natural products are essential for complete spectroscopic identification, full characterization of new compounds, biological testing, and supplying pharmaceuticals, standards, and starting materials for synthesis. However, obtaining pure products from extracts can be lengthy, tedious, and costly, often involving multiple steps. Sometimes, only small amounts of desired compounds are available, which may also be unstable. Therefore, having access to a variety of methods to aid the isolation process is advantageous. While some trial and error may be necessary, it is now possible to develop suitable rapid separation schemes through careful selection of available techniques.