Book excerpt: This new series, Methods in Plant Biochemistry, is an authoritative reference on current techniques in the various fields of plant biochemical research. Each volume in the series, under the expert guidance of a guest editor, addresses a particular group of plant compounds.**The most current and useful methods of analysis are described, with detailed discussions of the development, protocols, and suitability of each technique. Case treatments, diagrams, chemical structures, reference data, and properties are featured where appropriate, along with a full list of references to the specialist literature.**Conceived as a practical companion to the Biochemistry of Plants, edited by P.K. Stumpf and E.E. Conn, no plant biochemical laboratory can afford to be without this comprehensive and up-to-date reference. Addresses the laboratory analysis of all major plant compounds**Illustrates authoritative and detailed practical instructions and recipes for analytical methods**Describes assays suitable for showing biological or pharmacological properties in crude plant extracts