|
|
 Dr.
James E. Simon
Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: Natural Plant Products, Physiology and
Electronic Sensing of Fruit Ripeness, New
crops
Rutgers
Plant Science
59 Dudley Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
We have two major areas of research. First, is in the introduction and
domestication of herbs, spices and medicinal plants. Selected plant
species are chemically characterized for their natural plant products to
search for novel compounds and to identify compounds responsible for the
plants aroma and bioactivity. Plants such as artemisia are being selected
and bred for artemisinin, a natural and effective antimalarial agent.
Species of basil are being bred for targeted chemicals including methyl
cinnamate, methyl chavicol, citrol, linolool and geraniol. Our research
addresses the physiology and biochemistry of secondary products, and the
development of production and processing systems for these and other new
crops. One project examines the relationship between plant growth, water
stress and essential oil in peppermint. Another examines the proteins
responsible for specific aromatic compounds of the shikimic acid pathway.
Secondly, we are developing new technologies using electronic sensors to
detect fruit ripeness based on volatile gas emissions, and examining the
relationships between physical and chemical indicators of fruit ripening
with aromatic and nonaromatic volatiles.
resume
mail to J.E.Simon at Rutgers
jesimon@aesop.rutgers.edu
Landscape
Architecture Faculty | Landscape
Architecture Homepage
|
