Natural Products Chemistry in the Deep South: Bioactives and Flavours

Dr John van Klink

New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research

Chemistry Department, University of Otago

New Zealand

Abstract:

In this presentation I will talk briefly about the research undertaken by the New Zealand (NZ) government research institute known as Plant and Food Research.  I will provide a couple of examples of research projects in the biological chemistry and bioactives group that I work in.  These include studies on the chemistry of manuka, the NZ tea tree. Manuka, Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae) is one of the most widespread plants in NZ and is valued for a range of properties and products, from the unique honey to the volatile essential oils.  A recent project examining the chemistry of volatiles produced from some novel tearless onions will be presented, outlining analytical methods for quantifying the complex range of volatile sulphur compounds emitted.