Botanical miracles: chemistry of plants that changed the world

By Simon Cotton2016-09-16T00:00:00

Nature's chemistry

Botanical miracles: chemistry of plants that changed the world
Raymond Cooper and Jeffrey John Deakin
2016 | 272pp | £90.55 (HB)
ISBN 9781498704281

This book is the work of a team of two, one an experienced teacher and the other a prominent researcher. It introduces the reader to some of the successful plant-derived medicinal molecules like taxol, artemisinin and the vinca alkaloids, as well as longer-used compounds (eg quinine, morphine and nicotine). Its coverage is much wider than that, though, looking at the molecules found in a range of crops, beverages, euphorics, potions, plant dyes and pigments.

Simon Cotton reviews Botanical miracles: chemistry of plants that changed the world and considers how it could most valuably be used as a resource to support student learning.

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