Website enables searches that identify chemicals by plant source and plants containing specific compounds
Sigma-Aldrich has launched the Bioactive Nutrient Explorer, an internet-based tool specifically designed to help medical researchers, pharmacologists, nutrition and animal scientists, and analytical chemists studying dietary plants and supplements locate the chemicals and kits they need to support their work.
This novel website is the first of its kind in the industry, says Sigma.
In addition to simple product searches, the Bioactive Nutrient Explorer includes searches that identify chemicals by plant source and plants containing specific compounds.
Convenient resources include a common-to-Latin conversion function for plant names, as well as a database of compounds organised by structure to identify related chemicals.
"The study of diet as it relates to health and disease is receiving greater focus as the US population ages and as more consumers adopt nutritional supplements as a means to improve overall health," observed Libby Yunger, developer of the Bioactive Nutrient Explorer.
"In addition, pharmaceutical companies are returning to plants used in traditional medicine as potential sources of new drug candidates.
"Sigma is poised to become a leading supplier to these researchers with our innovative products for plant biotechnology, our extensive offering of research biochemicals, and our kits and reagents for food and nutrient analysis.
"The Bioactive Nutrient Explorer is a bridge that helps scientists identify key components of herbs and foodstuffs that may be linked to improved human health or to the prevention of specific diseases such as cancer."
