It comprises five main topics namely: Terpenoids; Chemistry and Biochemical Action of Vitamins; Natural Dyes; Purines Pyrimidines and Nucleic Acids; and Natural Products: Colour Reaction Tests. The original style of presentation has been strictly adhered to in respect of introduction nomenclature classification structures extraction isolation characteristic features constitution and synthesis of certain selected important constituents from Natural Products. A few biosynthetic pathways have also been discussed with proper explanations wherever necessary.
Due care has been taken to provide correct chemical structures of various plant constituents based on the Natural Products according to the latest Merck Index so that the end-users and teachers may find it authentic. Appropriate explanations of various courses of sunthctic routes have been explored to render the text matter easily comprehensible as well as convincing. Both M.Sc. Students specializing in Chemistry Biotechnology Biochemistry Pharmaceutical Chemistry Molecular Biology Microbiology and other allied disciplines may find the present textbook a pathfinder.
Ashutosh Kar is a well-known Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and has to his credit twenty-eight years teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels both in Indian universities and abroad. He has published more than fifty research papers in international and national scientific journals. He has taught at School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) (2002-2005); Guru Jhambheshwar University, Hisar (India) (1999-2002); Al-Arab Medical University, Benghazi (Libya) (1997-1998); College of Pharmacy, University of Delhi, Delhi (India) (1990-1994); Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Nigeria) (1976-1987). Professor Kar has an excellent track record in academic institutions of high repute, and actively engaged in teaching, research, administration, and service to his profession. He has to his credit more than fifty research papers, and guided several PG/Ph.D. students in Nigeria, India and Ethiopia. He bagged the University Gold Medal in B. Pharm. and M. Pharm. examinations from the University of Saugar, Sagar (MP) and completed his Ph.D. He is the Life Member of several national professional bodies like APTI, IPGA and ISTE. Professor Kar was conferred with "Lifetime Achievement Award-2008" by Indian Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and Technologists, Kolkata for his immense contribution in the Indian Pharmacy Profession. Professor Kar has authored ten books, namely Advanced Practical Medicinal Chemistry (2004); Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (2005); Pharmaceutical Microbiology (2006); Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology (2006); Pharmaceutical Analysis - Vol. I (2007); Pharmaceutical Analysis - Vol. II (2009); Pharmaceutical Pharmacology (2009); Medicinal Chemistry (2010); Pharmaceutical Drug Analysis (2010); and Chemistry of Natural Products - Vol. I (2010). Besides Professor Kar`s ten years stint of industrial experience in Public Limited Companies as General Manager (R&D), Production Manager (Food), and Research & Development Officer, he has inculcated in him a tremendous in-built stimulus of sophisticated research/academic laboratories both in African Continent and top-notch Indian Universities.
