Chemistry and Technology of Plant Substances: Chemical and Biochemical Aspects demonstrates the progress and promise of developing new chemical substances from renewable sources of chemical raw materials. The volume brings together new achievements in the field of research and processing of plant raw materials and the synthesis of natural compounds for the production of biologically active substances and drugs. The volume looks closely at the rational use of renewable raw materials, which is the source of new compounds and intermediates for the chemical industry. It covers a wide range of problems associated with the use of the components of plants to produce new substances with a wide variety of purposes. According to the latest estimates, plants form about a million chemical substances. In some cases, plant products have pharmacological or biological activity that can be of therapeutic benefit in treating diseases. In addition, due to the structural diversity of plant material, chemical synthesis is easily reachable. Synthetic analogs of natural products with improved potency and safety can be prepared by chemical synthesis. Such synthetic analogs are safer for humans. Plant materials are often used as starting points for drug discovery. Chemistry and Technology of Plant Substances: Chemical and Biochemical Aspects presents the theoretical trends and recent practical achievements on complex processing of plant-based raw materials. Low molecular weight components, isolated from plant material, are widely used in fine organic synthesis. High molecular weight polysaccharides of conifers and other greens, such as pectin and hemicellulose, are the basis for the creation of anticoagulants and other drugs. The range of research papers presented in the book is quite wide: from fundamental and applied problems of wood chemistry and organic synthesis to biological activity of natural compounds. The book provides valuable information for those skilled in organic chemistry, chemical engineers, researchers and scientists as well as for faculty and upper-level students. This volume, Chemistry and Technology of Plant Substances: Chemical and Biochemical Aspects, was created on the initiative of Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) and the Institute of Chemistry of Komi Scientific Center of Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Syktyvkar).

Useful throughout history for their medical as well as other benefits, plant-derived compounds have gained particular importance recently, due to environmental factors. The isolation and characterization of plant products, the identification of their role in the plant, and ways of synthesizing identical compounds or more potent analogues are covered. Also includes methods of culturing plant tissues and genetic engineering as a means of increasing the yield of desired substances from plants. Special emphasis is placed on plants previously unknown to Western scientists.

Why are some plants so important to humans? The chemistry of the plants has a lot to do with it! The plant world offers a fascinating way to explore basic chemistry concepts. The spectacular variety of colors, fragrances and other characteristics of plants are driven by the seemingly subtle differences in the structure and properties of organic compounds. Well-known flowers, like daffodils and narcissus, are examples of plants that provide ample perfumes, pigments and poisons as part of their intricate and fascinating chemistry. This second edition retains it accessibility, expanding on the first edition and combining scientific concepts with colorful pictures and stories in simple, clear language. Readers will find introductory information on some chemistry and plant biology. This prepares them for the more complex chemical structures that compose plant substances, many of them of vital importance to humans. The final chapter has been expanded, in particular the sections on medicinal plants and on genetic modification. The end-of chapter references have been thoroughly updated with articles, books, and relevant websites that illustrate the topics discussed. Dr Margareta Sequin, an organic chemist and plant enthusiast, has taught popular undergraduate college level courses on plant chemistry to non-chemistry majors and has led numerous field seminars for the general public. The comments and questions from these audiences and the topics that especially captured people’s interest have greatly shaped this book. The Chemistry of Plants addresses an audience with little previous chemistry knowledge, but will appeal to the expert reader looking for an understanding of more complex plant compounds. It can be used both as a text to introduce organic chemistry as it relates to plants and as a text of reference for more advanced readers.

Alphabetical arrangement of entries that reflect current topics of interest to scientists, chemists, and engineers, e.g., health, safety, toxicology, and new materials. Comprehensive coverage. Each entry consists of lengthy signed article, with illustrations and bibliography.

Drugs from plants are a major contribution to world health. Their production involves machinery, workers, quality control, standards, and legislation. Phytopharmaceutical Technology is a practical reference volume that provides the basic information necessary to select and operate machinery and to process plant products through to the desired liquid, solid, or powdered drug form. As a result, much of the book is devoted to the production process. Topics discussed include plants and plant parts; converting plants to medicinal forms; tips on handling incoming plant materials, including quality, pests, residues, analytical techniques and legislation; solvents for extraction, chemical data and notes regarding selection and use; and production processes, including grading (sorting), size reduction (comminution), extraction, concentration, purification, and drying. The book also contains details regarding the dozens of types of machinery that can be used, as well as drawings, including cross-sections and schematics of the working action. Quality assurance, standardization, and regulation is also discussed. Phytopharmaceutical Technology is a handy reference tool for engineers and industrial chemists in the plant drug processing industry, as well as excellent reading for university students.

Excerpt from The Chemistry of Plant Life Second, the purpose of the writer will not have been fully accomplished unless the book shall serve also as a stimulus to further study in a fascinating field. Even the most casual perusal of many of its chapters cannot fail to make clear how incomplete is our present knowledge of the chemical changes by which the plant cell performs many of the processes which result in the pro duction of so many substances which are vital to the comfort and pleasure of human life. Studies of the chemistry of animal life have resulted in many discoveries of utmost importance to human life and health. It requires no great stretch of the imagination to conceive that similar studies of plant life might result in similar or even greater benefit to human life, or society, since it is upon the results of plant growth that we are dependent for most of our food, clothing, and fuel, as well as for many of the luxuries Of life. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.