Alkaloids - Secrets of Life:: Aklaloid Chemistry, Biological Significance, Applications and Ecological Role

by Tadeusz Aniszewski

Overview

Alkaloids, represent a group of interesting and complex chemical compounds, produced by the secondary metabolism of living organisms in different biotopes. They are relatively common chemicals in all kingdoms of living organisms in all environments. Two hundred years of scientific research has still not fully explained the connections between alkaloids and life.
Alkaloids-Chemistry, Biological Significance, Applications and Ecological Role provides knowledge on structural typology, biosynthesis and metabolism in relation to recent research work on alkaloids. Considering an organic chemistry approach to alkaloids using biological and ecological explanation. Within the book several questions that persist in this field of research are approached as are some unresearched areas.
The book provides beneficial text for an academic and professional audience and serves as a source of knowledge for anyone who is interested in the fascinating subject of alkaloids. Each chapter features an abstract. Appendices are included, as are a listing of alkaloids, plants containing alkaloids and some basic protocols of alkaloid analysis.

* Presents the ecological role of alkaloids in nature and ecosystems
* Interdisciplinary and reader friendly approach
* Up-to-date knowledge

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080475332
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	03/22/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	334
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Former (retired 2014) Professor in Applied Botany, University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Science and Forestry, Department of Biology, Research and Teaching Laboratory of Applied Botany, Joensuu Campus. Internationally known, Chair of Phytochemical Section of the Botanical Society of America. Lifetime scientific title of docent in applied botany. Gold Medal for a Long Service to the Scientic Community.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Definition, Typology and Occurrence of Alkaloids1. Definition 2. Occurrence in nature

Chapter 2. Alkaloid Chemistry1. Alkaloids as secondary metabolism molecules 2. Synthesis and metabolism

Chapter 3. Biological Significance of Alkaloids1. Alkaloids in biology 2. Bioactivity 3. Biotoxicity 4. Narcotics 5. Alkaloids in the immune system 6. Genetic approach to alkaloids 7. Alkaloids in the evolution of organisms

Chapter 4. Applications1. Medicinal applications 2. Alkaloids as drugs 3. Agricultural applications 4. Biotechnology

Chapter 5. Ecological Role of Alkaloids1. Animal sequestration of alkaloids 2. Sexual behaviour 3. Feeding atractance and deterrence 4. A case study: Alkaloids and plant population changes

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From the Publisher

Presenting chemical, biological and ecological explanations of the alkaloids