This edition, which reflects new research and includes information on fungi and lichen opens by explaining the opportunities for new research. Subsequent chapters cover secondary plant products in nature such as alkaloids and other metabolites, factors affecting the production of secondary metabolites, production of food additives and insecticides, and prouction of antitumor compounds, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, secondary metabolites by bioconversion, genetic transformation, large-scale production in bioreactors and production of ergot alkaloids, Very interesting chapters include those on lichen products, the Chinese herbal drug industry, and secondary metabolites investigated in a variety of cultures, and the collection concludes with information on tools and techniques for the study of plant tissue culture and practical information on culturing and tests.