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This text provides both review and primary research articles for a broad audience of biologists, chemists, biochemists, pharmacologists, clinicians and nutrition experts, especially those interested in the biosynthesis, structure, function and/or bioactivity of plant natural products. Recurring themes include the evolution and ecology of specialized metabolites, the genetic and enzymatic mechanisms for their formation and metabolism, the systems biology study of their cell/tissue/organ context, the engineering of plant natural products, as well as various aspects of their application for human health. In addition to analysis of current research, new developments in the techniques used to study plant natural products are presented and discussed, taking a detailed look at structure elucidation and quantification, “omic” (genomic/ proteomic/ transcriptomic/ metabolomics) profiling or for microscopic localization. In short, this series combines chapters from researchers that explain and discuss current topics in the most exciting new research in phytochemistry.

This volume of Recent Advances in Phytochemistry is the Proceedings of the 1979 Annual Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America held August 12-15 at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. It contains a series of exciting chapters which start with the potential use of plant products as fuels and medicinals, their possible effects in carcinogenesis and use in steroidal hormone synthesis. The volume continues with a series of chapters which examine the importance of plant constituents in the breeding and selection of corn, cruciferous vegetables, soybeans and citrus fruits. All the contributions illustrate the wide importance of research which improves the health and the economic and social well being of mankind. The authors are to be congratulated on their lucid exposition of the progress of research in their subject area and for their patience while this book was being produced. The members of the Phytochemical Society of North America can feel proud of having another of their excellent symposia series in print. It is fitting, therefore, that this volume is dedicated to one of the founder members of the Society, Ted Geissman, who has inspired so many of us with his wisdom, teaching and wonderful support of all our endeavours. He was a giant among phytochemists and is sorely missed by all who knew him.