Enzyme Chemistry of Phenolic Compounds documents the proceedings of the Plant Phenolics Group Symposium held at Liverpool on April 11-12 1962. This book focuses on the interaction of enzymes and phenolic compounds, oxidation-reduction systems in plants and microorganisms, and phenolase complex. Other topics discussed include purification of phenol oxidases; enzyme-substrate specificity in potato polyphenol oxidase; tocopherols; and role of ubiquinone and plastoquinone in plant metabolism. Hydrolytic enzymes; enzyme inhibition by phenolic compounds; tannin inhibition of plant mitochondria; and aromatic acid-reducing systems in fungi are also deliberated in this selection. This publication is beneficial to students and biochemists researching on enzyme and phenolic compounds.

These are just a few examples that illustrate the chemical diversity and use of phenolic compounds, the topic of ‘Phenolic Compound Biochemistry’. This book is written for researchers, instructors, advanced undergraduate students and beginning graduate students in the life sciences who wish to become more familiar with these and many other intriguing aspects of phenolic compounds. Topics covered include nomenclature, chemical properties, biosynthesis, including an up-to-date overview of the genetics controlling phenolic metabolism, isolation and characterization of phenolic compounds, phenolics used in plant defense, and the impact of phenolics on human health. The book is written in an accessible style, and assumes only basic knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry and cell physiology. More than 300 chemical structures and reaction schemes illustrate the text. Wilfred Vermerris is Associate Professor of Agronomy at the University of Florida Genetics Institute in Gainesville, FL. His research focuses on the genetic control of phenolic compounds that impact agro-industrial processing of crop plants. Ralph Nicholson is Professor of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. He is an expert on phenolic compounds involved in the plant’s defense against pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

Phenolic compounds as a large class of metabolites found in plants have attracted attention since long time ago due to their properties and the hope that they will show beneficial health effects when taken as dietary supplements. This book presents the state of the art of some of the natural sources of phenolic compounds, for example, medicinal plants, grapes or blue maize, as well as the modern methods of extraction, quantification, and identification, and there is a special section discussing the treatment, removal, and degradation of phenols, an important issue in those phenols derived from the pharmaceutical or petrochemical industries.

Soybean protei ns are wi de 1 y used inhuman foods ina vari ety of forms, including baby formulas, flour, soy protein concentrates, soy protein isolates, soy sauces, textured soy fibers, and tofu. The presence of inhibitors of digestive enzymes in soy proteins impairs nutritional quality and possible safety of this impportant legume. Normal processing conditions based on the use of heat do not completely inactivate these inhibitors, so that residual amounts of plant protease inhibitors are consumed by animals and man. Inhibitors of digestive enzymes are present not only in legumes, such as soybeans, lima beans, and kidney beans, but also in nearly all plant foods, including cereals and potatoes, albeit in much smaller amounts. The antinutritional effects of inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes have been widely studied and can be ameliorated by processing and/or sulfur amino acid fortification. A more urgent concern is reports that rats fed diets containing even low levels of soybean-derived inhibitors, which are found in foods such as soy-based baby formulas, may develop over their lifespan pancreatic lesions leading eventually to neoplasia or tumor formation. On the other hand, recent stUdies suggest that certain enzyme inhibitors from plant foods may prevent cancer formation in other tissues. A key question, therefore, is whether inhibitors from plant foods constitute a human health hazard.

Structure and reactivity of phenolic compounds. Isolation and identification of phenolic compounds in biological materials. The natural distribution of the phenolic aglycones. Phenolic glycosides and their natural distribution. The genetics of phenolic compounds. Metabolism of phenolics in animals. Metabolism of phenolics in higher plants and micro-organisms. Major pathways of biosynthesis of phenols. Lignin and tannin biosynthesis. Enzymology of phenolic biosynthesis. Physiological studies on phenolic biosynthesis. The physiology and pharmacology of phenolic compounds in animals. Pathological function of phenolic compounds in plants. Relations between the taste and structure of some phenolic glycosides.