Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Higher Plants

Contents: Preface. 1. Mevalonate pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis. 2. Carotenoid biosynthesis. 3. Photoregulation of carotenoid biosynthesis. 4. Lipid biosynthesis. 5. Biopharmaceutical products from plants. 6. Myriad plant responses to herbivores. 7. Starch structure and digestibility. 8. Regulation of starch synthesis in cassava. 9. Sterol metabolism. 10. Functions in secondary metabolites. 11. Modern biotechnology. Bibliography. Index.

"Isoprenoids are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals similar to terpenes, derived from five-carbon isoprene units assembled and modified in thousands of ways. Plants produce a great array of structurally diverse isoprenoids than other organism. The topic of plant isoprenoids, encompasses a rich and broad subject area, both of which are derived from a fascination in the diversity of isoprenoids found in nature and intense investigations into their biosynthesis.

This book focuses on the current understanding in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids in higher plants. It will be a unique source of information for all those involved with plants as chemical factories of fine chemicals and those involved with the quality of food and ornamental plants. It will be useful in teaching graduate courses in the field of biosynthesis in plants." (jacket)