Various plant metabolites are useful for human life, and the induction and reduction of these metabolites using modern biotechnical technique is of enormous potential important especially in the fields of agriculture and health. Plant Metabolism and Biotechnology describes the biosynthetic pathways of plant metabolites, their function in plants, and some applications for biotechnology. Topics covered include:

• biosynthesis and metabolism of starch and sugars
• lipid biosynthesis
• symbiotic nitrogen fixation
• sulfur metabolism
• nucleotide metabolism
• purine alkaloid metabolism
• nicotine biosynthesis
• terpenoid biosynthesis
• benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis
• monoterpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis
• flavonoid biosynthesis
• pigment biosynthesis: anthocyanins, betacyanins and carotenoids
• metabolomics in biotechnology

Plant Metabolism and Biotechnology is an essential guide to this important field for researchers and students of biochemistry, plant biology, metabolic engineering, biotechnology, food science, agriculture, and medicine.

Hiroshi Ashihara, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan.

Alan Crozier, Plant Products and Human Nutrition Group, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Atsushi Komamine, Kihara Instutute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.