The fully revised and expanded fourth edition of Plant Biochemistry presents the latest science on the molecular mechanisms of plant life. The book not only covers the basic principles of plant biology, such as photosynthesis, primary and secondary metabolism, the function of phytohormones, plant genetics, and plant biotechnology, but it also addresses the various commercial applications of plant biochemistry. Plant biochemistry is not only an important field of basic science explaining the molecular function of a plant, but is also an applied science that is in the position to contribute to the solution of agricultural and pharmaceutical problems.
Plants are the source of important industrial raw material such as fat and starch but they are also the basis for the production of pharmaceutics. It is expected that in the future, gene technology will lead to the extensive use of plants as a means of producing sustainable raw material for industrial purposes. As such, the techniques and use of genetic engineering to improve crop plants and to provide sustainable raw materials for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are described in this edition. The latest research findings have been included, and areas of future research are identified.
- Offers the latest research findings in a concise and understandable manner.
- Presents plant metabolism in the context of the structure and the function of plants.
- Includes more than 300 two-color diagrams and metabolic schemes.
- Covers the various commercial applications of plant biochemistry.
- Provides extensive references to the recent scientific literature.
Hans-Walter Heldt was a professor at the University of Göttingen in the Department of Biochemistry of the plant. He is co-authored over 250 scientific publications and is the co-author of the textbook, Plant Biochemistry. In 1993, he was awarded the Max Planck Research Award together with Marshall Davidson Hatch . Since 1990, he has been a full member of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences.
Birgit Piechulla’s current research focus is to understand the biosynthesis and regulation of volatile organic compounds of bacteria and plants (flowers) and to elucidate the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms and reactions, including signal transduction, in the mVOC receiver. She published 112 peer-reviewed publications, 25 book articles and non-peer-reviewed articles (Researchgate h-index 37). Her book, Plant Biochemistry, co-written with H.W. Heldt has been published in German, English, Russian, Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Turkish. From 1998 - 2013 she was co-editor of Plant Biology, board member of the Deutsche Botanische Gesellschaft (DBG) (2009-2016), board member of the Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM) (2008-2016), councilor of the Int. Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE) (2014- 2017), and she held several academic positions within the university, including Vice Rector for Science at the University of Rostock (2,5 years, 2013-2015).
