Phytochemicals – Biosynthesis, Function and Application

The Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA) is a nonprofit scientific organization with membership open to those interested in plant biochemistry, phytochemistry, and the role of plant substances in related disciplines. The PSNA exists to encourage and stimulate research in the chemistry and biochemistry of plant constituents, their effects upon plant and animal physiology and pathology, and their industrial importance and utilization. Annual meetings featuring symposium topics of current general interest and contributed papers by conference participants are held throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico. PSNA meetings provide participants with exposure to cutting-edge research presented by prominent international scientists, but remain intimate enough to allow interaction and collegiality. Recent meetings were previously held jointly with the American Society of Pharmacognasy in St. Pete Beach, FL USA (2010) and held at Towson University, Maryland, USA (2009). The 50thAnniversary Meeting of the PSNA was held at the Fairmont Orchid, Waikaloa, Hawai’i USA (2011). This volume of Recent Advances in Phytochemistry is largely based around talks presented at the 51st annual meeting (2012), held in London, Ontario, Canada. Information about the PSNA, can be found at www.psna-online.org.