February phytochemicals: the smell of roses and "mad honey disease"

Happy #PhytochemicalFriday! This week, moronic acid, a triterpenoid compound found in some Phoradendron species (Santalaceae, one of my favorite plant families!), as well as Brucea javanica (Simaroubaceae). This compound has been found effective against the herpes simplex virus.

Happy #Valentines2020 / #PhytochemicalFriday! What chemicals make up the scent of roses? Two major contributors are beta-damascenone and beta-damascone. The plant makes these compounds by degrading a carotenoid called neoxanthin (a relative of beta-carotene). #academicvalentine

Happy #PhytochemicalFriday from a snowy visit to @MedPlantChem at @NorthernMichU. Today: grayanotoxin, a compound found in some Ericaceae species, incl. Rhododendron & Agarista. Honey made by bees that solely collect these plants' nectar can be toxic, causing 'mad honey disease'!

Happy #PhytochemicalFriday! Today, nickel. Not strictly a phytochemical, but something that can accumulate to high levels (higher than in ore!) in many species. The element can be mined from trees as described by Ian Morse in this @NYTScience article: https://nyti.ms/2VDg7YC