Methods in Chemical Ecology Volume 1: Chemical Methods / Edition 1

by Jocelyn G. Millar, Kenneth F. Haynes

Overview

A working definition of the discipline of chemical ecology might be "the study of the structure, function, origin, and significance of naturally occurring compounds that mediate inter-and intraspecific interactions between organisms. " In particular, chemical ecology focuses on determining the role of semiochemicals and related compounds in their natural contexts. Thus, chemical ecology is distinct from disciplines such as pharmacology, in which compounds are screened for uses outside their natural context, for example in the screening of natural products for use as drugs. Superficially, many of the methods used in the various branches of natural products chemistry, such as pharmacology and chemical ecology, are very similar, but each branch has developed its own set of specialized methods for dealing with the problems characteristic of that discipline. For example, in chemical ecology, many semiochemicals are isolated and identified using only a few micrograms or less of material. Although the same general chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques are used as would be used with the identification of most organic compounds, specialized techniques have been developed for handling these very small quantities, allowing the maximum amount of information to be recovered from the minimum amount of sample. These micro scale techniques, and the problems unique to working with very small amounts of sample, are rarely covered in detail in reference books on the isolation and identification of biologically active natural chemicals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780412080715
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	06/30/1998
Series:	Methods in Chemical Ecology , #1
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.24(d)

About the Author

Kenneth F. Haynes is a Professor of Entomology in the Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.

Table of Contents

Preface. 1. Preparation, Cleanup, and Preliminary Fractionation of Extracts; J.G. Millar, J.J. Sims. 2. Liquid Chromatography; J.G. Millar. 3. Analytical and Preparative Gas Chromatography; R.R. Heath, B.D. Dueben. 4. Mass Spectrometry; F.X. Webster, J.G. MIllar, D.J. Kiemle. 5. Structure Elucidation by NMR; F.X. Webster, D.J. Kiemle. 6. Infrared and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy Techniques; W.S. Leal. 7. Microchemical Techniques; A.B. Attygalle. 8. Separation of Enantiomers and Determination of Absolute Configuration; K. Mori. 9. Electrophysiological Methods; L.B. Bjostad. Appendix: List of Names and Addresses of Suppliers. Index.

Editorial Reviews

'Overall, the book has been very meticulously prepared, and the subject dealt with in a very comprehensive manner, given the book is only 380 pages long. Readers need to have a strong background in instrumental analysis to fully appreciate the details. Nonetheless, the book is easy to read and gives a good overview. It is ideal for advanced students in chemical ecology, microanalysis, and entomology.'
Journal of Environmental Quality, 28 (1999)

From the Publisher