Phytochemical Methods. A Guide to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis.

This is the updated version of the well-known, and tried-and-tested, book. The value of the text lies in the comprehensive treatment from the basics through to the more sophisticated techniques. It is definitely for individual laboratories and often for the lone scientist. Equally, it makes crucial reading for undergraduates in the field and for everyday use for the practising researcher. Libraries would also benefit from holding copies for the nonbiochemist who may not need a personal copy. What does the book offer in terms of plant pathology? Phytoalexins are extremely interesting antibiotics produced by plants in response to infection by microorganisms, especially fungi. These are discussed, although perhaps a little briefly. Secondary metabolites are thought to protect the plant from disease and they are covered under their various chemical groups (i.e. alkaloids, flavenoids, etc.). But it is in considering the plant as a chemical entity as a whole where this text wins out, as all, or most, of the plant constituents may affect susceptibility to disease. The book gives the scientist the information needed to tackle these issues. The author mentions the Dictionary of Natural Products, which may be seen as a competitor, but this, although good, is an expensive publication, to which the average scientist will have only restricted access. The index to Phytochemical Methods is extensive and provides easy access to relevant topics. Some useful additions for future editions would be to include descriptions of HPLC with diode array detection, and the other ‘hyphenated’ equipment such as GC-MS, etc. Also, the revolution in molecular biology techniques (PCR, RFLP, etc.) will have to be addressed in the future. Finally, it is implied in the Introduction that fungi are lower plants. I think the time has definitely come to consider them as a separate Kingdom.