Chemotaxonomie der pflanzen, vol. 10, general index

MARinoN, D. M. Handbook of U.S. Colorants: Foods, Driogs, Connetks and Med1cal Devkes, 573 pp . New York: John Wiley & Sons (1991). CAxoRANn used in foods, drugs and cosmetics are widely used and of economic importance. The Hosdbook of u.s. coiorants.- Foods, Drup, Comietics and me&al Devkw in its third edition therefore follows the purpose of serving as a mainual on color additives that is useful to everybody who is concerned with them in any way. It provides sections on the general background, on colorant analysis and on mixtures and the analysis of commercial products. JIDRO MEMR NATm S., HAmmm, K. and UENO, y. (Eds) Bioacdve Mokcuks, VoL 10, Mycotoxbu and Phycoloxbu, 496 pp., many lip and tables, U.S.$ 168 .50, DR. 320 .00, ISBN 0 444 88028-3. Amsterdam: Elsevier (1989). THm book is a compilation of 31 invited lectures on mycotoxins and 26 on phycotoxins presented at the IUPAC Symposium on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins in Tokyo, 1998. The first part coven a wide range of different aspects on mycotoxins and mycotoxicoses, but is mainly devoted to afistoxins and trichotheoenes . The second part deals with many most interesting aspects on the toxins from sea water as well as from fresh water, with emphasis on detection of such toxins but also on pharmacological give in activities, and ion channel functions. TILe single papers concise overviews with many valuable data tables and figures . Although the book has years appeared already two ago, it can still be recommended, as the facts are still valid and most valuable. The book is without any doubt worth its relatively high price. G. HABERMEHL

HwNAuER, R. and HBONAumk M. Chanotaxonontie der Pjkwen, Vol . 10, General Index, 847 pp. DM 698.00, sFr. 598 .00, ISBN 3-7643-2578-X. Bawl: Birkh1usa (1991). all muiiAuws Chmotaxonomk der Pfloizen is an indispeitsable work of reference for disciplines of the natural sciences deelin with the chemistry of plants . Volumes 1-6 were published between 1962 and 1973; Vols 7 (1986), 8 (IM), and 9 (1990) undertook to update this most valuable wries. The work stand outreference by virtue of its comprehensive and meticulously compiled bibliography. Until now the use of Volumes 7-9 as works was often somewhat difficult, because they do not contain indexes. Such a key to these volumes and the series as a whole has just been released as Vol. 10 (General Index) . It contains three indexes separate to Vols 1-9: the Taxonomic, the Chemotaxonomic and the Subject Index. Each of these is clearly distinguished by paper colour and starts with an introduction explaining purpose and use. The final section of this book contains a complete listing of the tables and figures in the full series. The price of Vol. 10 may at first seem high, particularly to the individual buyer. On in the other hand one must take into account the major effort which has gone into itsincompilation. The series its entirety is exceedingly valuable for chemists, botanists and toxicologists engaged the field of natural compounds of plant origin, and in should-at the very loast-be available every scientific library. HANS

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