Annual Plant Reviews: Plant Pigments and their Manipulation

Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 14

It is difficult to over–state the importance of plant pigments in biology. Chlorophylls are arguably the most important organic compounds on earth, as they are required for photosynthesis. Carotenoids are also necessary for the survival of both plants and mammals, through their roles in photosynthesis and nutrition, respectively. The other plant pigment groups, such as flavonoids and betalains, have important roles in both the biology of plants and the organisms with which plants interact.

This book provides an overview of pigment chemistry and biology, together with an up–to–date account of the biosynthesis of pigments and the modification of their production using biotechnology. The chapters cover a wide scope of pigmentation research – from the importance of structural diversity in generating the range of colours seen in plants, through to improving human health properties of crops by increasing pigment levels in transgenic plants.

The volume is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics.

1. An introduction to plant pigments in biology and commerce.

Kevin M. Davies, Crop & Food Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

2. Chlorophylls.

Robert D. Willows, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.

3. Carotenoids.

Abby Cuttriss and Barry Pogson, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

4. Flavonoids.

Kathy E. Schwinn and Kevin M. Davies, Crop & Food Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

5. Condensed tannins.

Greg Tanner, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia.

6. Betalains.

Jean–Pierre Zrÿd and Laurent Christinet, Laboratory of Plant Cell Genetics, Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

7. Important rare pigments.

Kevin M. Davies, Crop & Food Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

8. Plant pigments and human health.

Mary Ann Lila, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA.

9. Plant pigments and protection against UV–B radiation.

Brian R. Jordan, Soil, Plant & Ecological Sciences Division, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.

10. Techniques of pigment identification.

Øyvind M. Andersen and George W. Francis, Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Norway.

References.

Index

"This book provides an overview of plant pigment chemistry and biology, together with an up–to–date account of the biosynthesis of pigments and the modification of their production using biotechnology.

This book is intended for researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics."

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