Noah Whiteman, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution and Development and Director of the Essig Museum of Entomology at UC Berkeley, explores the intricate relationship between plants and their chemical compounds in his book, "Most Delicious Poison." He explains that many plant chemicals, historically used in food and medicine, originally evolved as toxins to defend against herbivores. Whiteman's research delves into the ecology of these plant toxins and their adoption by humans, highlighting the interplay of biology, chemistry, and culture. His work includes studying how certain plant compounds, such as those in rhubarb and citrus, interact with human biology and how human culture and genetics have co-evolved with these natural chemicals. Whiteman emphasizes that understanding the evolutionary purpose of these compounds can provide valuable insights for chemists working in natural products research.
August 31, 2024