Chemical Dictionary of Economic Plants

Throughout history man has utilised the bounty of plants using them as a source for food, feed, beverages, drugs and medicine, flavours, perfumes, dyes, gums, resins, fibres, timbers and numerous other applications. Modern biotechnology is centralised and devoted to the further exploitation of plant products and an example is capsicum, one of the ingredients in chilli’s, that induces endorphin release in the body (a reason why many people love spicy foods) that is now added to painkillers. This book is a compilation that lists the many essential and invaluable plant substances man has found invaluable throughout his life. Where necessary the chemical structures of the plant products are included and starting with the product rather than the plant name it provides easy access to information on an extensive range of plant products – of use in many industries. A full bibliography of the books consulted during the compilation is included as well as two indexes (the plant species and common name) and a listing of the entry names of products and their synonyms. Each entry includes: Name of Plant Product Synonyms Chemical Classification Occurrence Description and Composition Comments (where applicable) Where necessary the chemical structures of the plant products are also included.