Synopses & Reviews
This practical manual represents a comprehensive, up-to-date compilation of useful chemical ecology techniques and references. Written from the viewpoint of the practitioner, this book and its companion volume on bioassays describe apparatus and methods, providing detailed discussions of the advantages and limitations of various techniques. Taken together, the volumes provide the information required to isolate and identify biologically active chemicals mediating inter- and intraspecific interactions between organisms from most of the major taxa. Methods in Chemical Ecology: Chemical Methods describes both macro- and microscale techniques, paying particular attention to the problems inherent in working with microscale samples. The book is arranged in a logical sequence, beginning with chapters on the initial extraction and purification of compounds, and progressing through methods used in identification of chemical structures, including both instrumental and microchemical methods. The book finishes with chapters on the separation of enantiomers, and the use of electrophysiological techniques. Coverage includes descriptions of both cutting-edge methods such as solid phase microextraction, and methods that have been in common use for a decade or more. With minimal use of technical jargon, this volume is designed as an indispensable reference manual for graduate students as well as experienced researchers. This volume will also serve as a valuable reference book for researchers in many related disciplines, including natural-products chemistry, ecology, botany/plant sciences, zoology, entomology, marine biology and ecology, and pharmacology.
Review
`Overall, the book has been very meticulously prepared, and the subject dealt with in a very comprehensive manner, given the book is only 380 pages long. Readers need to have a strong background in instrumental analysis to fully appreciate the details. Nonetheless, the book is easy to read and gives a good overview. It is ideal for advanced students in chemical ecology, microanalysis, and entomology.' Journal of Environmental Quality, 28 (1999)
Synopsis
A working definition of the discipline of chemical ecology might be "the study of the structure, function, origin, and significance of naturally occurring compounds that mediate inter-and intraspecific interactions between organisms. " In particular, chemical ecology focuses on determining the role of semiochemicals and related compounds in their natural contexts. Thus, chemical ecology is distinct from disciplines such as pharmacology, in which compounds are screened for uses outside their natural context, for example in the screening of natural products for use as drugs. Superficially, many of the methods used in the various branches of natural products chemistry, such as pharmacology and chemical ecology, are very similar, but each branch has developed its own set of specialized methods for dealing with the problems characteristic of that discipline. For example, in chemical ecology, many semiochemicals are isolated and identified using only a few micrograms or less of material. Although the same general chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques are used as would be used with the identification of most organic compounds, specialized techniques have been developed for handling these very small quantities, allowing the maximum amount of informa tion to be recovered from the minimum amount of sample. These micro scale techniques, and the problems unique to working with very small amounts of sample, are rarely covered in detail in reference books on the isolation and identification of biologically active natural chemicals."
About the Author
Kenneth F. Haynes is a Professor of Entomology in the Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
Table of Contents
Preface. 1. Preparation, Cleanup, and Preliminary Fractionation of Extracts; J.G. Millar, J.J. Sims. 2. Liquid Chromatography; J.G. Millar. 3. Analytical and Preparative Gas Chromatography; R.R. Heath, B.D. Dueben. 4. Mass Spectrometry; F.X. Webster, J.G. MIllar, D.J. Kiemle. 5. Structure Elucidation by NMR; F.X. Webster, D.J. Kiemle. 6. Infrared and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy Techniques; W.S. Leal. 7. Microchemical Techniques; A.B. Attygalle. 8. Separation of Enantiomers and Determination of Absolute Configuration; K. Mori. 9. Electrophysiological Methods; L.B. Bjostad. Appendix: List of Names and Addresses of Suppliers. Index.