Naturally Occurring Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

Plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids are so numerous and widespread that they can be expected to be present in most environments. About 200 pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been isolated and identified from different plants. Interest in these alkaloids has increased in recent years due to their causative effects in the heavy loss of livestock in many countries. Naturally Occurring Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids discusses the plant sources and properties of pyrrolizidine alkaloids; extraction, fractionation and identification; various methods of spectrometry of pyrrolizidine alkaloids; quantitative determination; and the toxicity, carcinogenicity, pharmacology, and other biological activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Researchers in veterinary and human medicine will find this book to be a fascinating and useful reference tool.