Looking at the chemical and physiological properties of vitamin C and at how it intervenes in many biochemical processes

Looking at the chemical and physiological properties of vitamin C and at how it intervenes in many biochemical processes
When scurvy was identified as a form of malnutrition, an exciting race for the isolation, structure determination, and synthesis of vitamin C started
It took hundred of years and a long sequence of small advantages and missed opportunities to discover the importance of vitamin C
What does quinine do to counteract malaria?
The long road from the structure determination to the total synthesis of quinine is an exciting detective story
Thomas Buchler, CEO of the quinine producer Buchler & Co., talks about the ups and downs of the international cinchona trade
The quinine-containing bark of the Cinchona tree is probably the most valuable drug the Americas gave the world
The isolation and structural determination of the potent ergot alkaloids guarantees we can enjoy our daily bread without harm
What is an ergot-infested grain kernel? Part 2 looks at the life-cycle of the fungus, how it contributed to the Salem witch trials, and a self test
The Isenheim Altar depicts the symptoms and treatment of “St. Anthony’s Fire”, the result of poisoning by ergot alkaloids