Chemistry of natural products

general courses

The course intends to be an introduction to the chemistry and biochemistry of low molecular weight natural products. Basic knowledge on main metabolic cycles will be given, including photosynthesis and the Krebs Cycle. The lecture covers also ecochemical aspects of all kinds of metabolic products and the role of chemical information exchange in the ecosystem.

The course is designed for exposing the students to selected basic ideas and concepts of modern chemistry of low molecular weight natural products. The elementary knowledge of plant primary and secondary metabolism will be introduced. Carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids and prostaglandins, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds will be briefly treated. The lecture also covers some basic concepts of modern neurochemistry, toxicology as well as the chemistry of ecosystems. Modes of interactions between living organisms will be discussed, including symbiosis, anabiosis (antibiotics) and chemical information exchange channels (semiochemicals, pheromones, aromas)

1. D.H.R. Barton, Ed., "Comprehensive Natural Products Chemistry", Pergamon, 1999

2. U. Wrzeciono, L. Zaprutko, „Chemia Związków Naturalnych. Zagadnienia wybrane”, Wydawnictwo Akademii Medycznej w Poznaniu, 2001.

3. I. Siemion, „Biostereochemia”, PWN, 1985

4. S. Kohlmünzer, „Farmakognozja”, PZWL, Warszawa 2000

Acquire a basic knowledge on modern natural products chemistry, including:

•general description of main metabolic cycles

•ability to select key compounds crucial for redox processes and the energy transport in the living systems

•explain the relationship between main metabolic cycles

•understand the transformations different classes of natural products

•ability to predict possible biochemical and pharmacological consequences of given structural motifs in the metabolite

Written or oral exam in the form of personal contacts or on-line

Not applicable