This is the only book of its kind to provide an overview of the science of flavonoids in plants.

Offering a wide ranging view of this important class of plant pigments, after a brief examination of the history & literature of flavonoids, this book explores structural variation of all subclasses of flavonoids, techniques for isolation, purification, & determination of structures, chemical syntheses, biosynthesis & genetics, patterns of distribution in the plant kingdom, & uses. Lastly, the functions of flavonoids in nature are investigated, as well as ways in which these compounds may have a more direct impact upon the human race. Contents: Introduction & Historical Perspective * Structural Variation * Occurrence & Distribution of Flavonoids * Extraction, Purification, & Identification of Flavonoids * Synthesis & Interconversions of Flavonoids * Biosynthesis & Genetics * Flavonoid Functions in Nature * Human Uses of Flavonoids

Additional Editor Carl P. Swanson. Prentice-Hall Biological Science Series.

The flavonoids, one of the most numerous and widespread groups of natural constituents, are important to man not only because they contribute to plant colour but also because many members (e.g. coumestrol, phloridzin, rotenone) are physiologically active. Nearly two thousand substances have been described and as a group they are universally distributed among vascular plants. Although the anthocyanins have an undisputed function as plant pigments, the raison d'etre for the more widely distributed colourless flavones and flavonols still remains a mystery. It is perhaps the challenge of discovering these yet undisc10sed functions which has caused the considerable resurgence of interest in flavonoids during the last decade. This book attempts to summarize progress that has been made in the study of these constituents since the first comprehensive monograph on the chemistry of the flavonoid compounds was published, under the editorship of T. A. Geissman, in 1962. The present volume is divided into three parts. The first section (Chapters 1-4) deals with advances in chemistry, the main emphasis being on spectral techniques to take into account the re cent successful applications of NMR and mass spectral measurements to structural identifications. Recent developments in isolation techniques and in synthesis are also covered in this section. Advances in chemical knowledge of individual c1asses of flavonoid are mentioned inter aha in later chapters of the book.

Flavonoids are abundant secondary metabolites found in plants and fungi that have various roles in these organisms, including pigmentation, cell signalling, plant defence and inter-organism communication. Due to their abundance in nature, flavonoids are also important components of the human diet, and the last four decades have seen an intense study focused on the structure characterization of flavonoids and on their roles in mammal metabolism. This book reviews most of the well-established activities of flavonoids, and we also present more recent research studies on the area of flavonoids, including the chemical aspects of structure characterization of flavonoids, the biosynthesis of flavonoids in model plants as well as their role in abiotic stress situations and in agriculture, the role of flavonoids in metabolism and health and their importance in foods, from consumption to their use as bioactive components.

Comparative Biochemistry: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume III: Constituents of Life — Part A focuses on the processes, methodologies, and mechanisms involved in the biological transformations of matter. Composed of contributions of authors, the book first gives emphasis to the comparative features of fatty acid occurrence and distribution. The formation of fatty acids and lipids in living organisms; naturally occurring fatty acids and lipids; relationship between types and distribution of fatty acids and their biological origin are considered. The text also looks at the structure and distribution of sterols, steroid metabolism of lipids, and the distribution and metabolism of phospholipids. The book focuses as well on the structure and occurrence of natural monosaccharides and oligosaccharides. The occurrence of commoner monosaccharides and oligosaccharides; the compositions, reactions, and characteristics of nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids; and chromatographic examinations of biological materials for free sugars are considered. The text also looks at the structure, metabolism, and distribution of terpenoids and quinones. The book is a vital source of information for readers wanting to study the processes, methodologies, and mechanisms involved in the biological transformation of matter.

This book describes the structures and properties of the main groups of natural pigments.

About 1958, the late Professor R. E. ALSTON and Professor B. L. TURNER, both of the Department ofBotany, The University ofTexas at Austin, initiated a general systematic investigation ofthe legurne genus Baptisia. They found that flavonoid patterns, as revealed by two-dimensional paper chromatography, were valid criteria for the recognition of the Baptisia species and for the documentation of their numerous natural hybrids. Later, they showed that the flavonoid chemistry could be used for the analysis of gene flow among populations. At that time no attempt was made to even partially identify the flavonoids which were detected chromatographically. Neverthe1ess, it soon became apparent that the full value of the chemical data for systematic purposes required knowledge of the structures of the flavonoids. In 1962, one of us (T.J.M.) in collaboration with Drs. ALSTON and TURNER beg an the chemical analysis of the more than 60 flavonoids which had been chromatographi cally detected in the 16 Baptisia species. In the intervening years, a number of chemists and botanists, inc1uding Drs. K. BAETCKE, B. BREHM, M. CRANMER, D. HORNE, J. KAGAN, B. KROSCHEWSKY, J. MCCLURE, H. RÖSLER, and J. WALLACE, participated in the devel opment of techniques and procedures for the rapid identification of known flavonoids and in the structure determination of new flavonoids. In addition, the flavonoid chem istry of many plants other than Baptisia was investigated.

This concisely written book presents information on types of plant phenolics. The sole focus of this volume is on dietary tannins. It reviews the fact that tannins interact with dietary proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, digestive enzymes, and lower nutrient availability. This work reveals that in certain parts of the world, tannins also have been reported as carcinogenic. This literature comprehensively reviews chemistry and plant biochemistry, and methods of extraction. It also explains the harmful and toxic effects and remedies to alleviate dietary tannins. This useful resource is a must for all food scientists, nutritionists, biochemists, and animal scientists throughout the world.