Plants have a clever way of responding to their environment. They use special chemicals called hormones. Two of these, abscisic acid and strigolactones, come from a substance called beta-carotene. Abscisic acid helps plants handle drought and keeps seeds from sprouting too early. Strigolactones, on
Macrolides are a type of antibiotic with powerful effects. They are made through a complex process involving polyketide synthases (PKSs) and other enzymes. Unfortunately, creating new macrolides in the lab often results in low yields. To fix this, scientists need a way to quickly test many variation
Ticks are a huge problem for cattle farmers. They cause big losses and can even kill animals. One way to fight them is by using a special type of medicine called macrocyclic lactones (MLs). These medicines are important because they help control tick populations. But there's a catch: ticks can becom
To fully understand the mystery of Buruli ulcer disease, let's take a closer look at Mycobacterium ulcerans and its notorious toxin, mycolactone. Experts have long believed that the gruesome skin damage caused by this infection was due to mycolactone's direct toxic effects. This assumption
Ever wondered how adding a tiny ingredient like glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) can transform alkaline dough and steamed buns? This study dug deep into the effects of GDL during thermal treatment. It turns out that GDL gives alkaline dough a boost in viscoelasticity and fluidity by strengthening intermolecu
Every plant faces challenges, and Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. (R. chrysanthum) is no exception. UV-B radiation, a type of light that can harm plants, is one of these challenges. But R. chrysanthum has a secret weapon: strigolactone, a special chemical messenger in plants. Scientists have been st
Imagine you're in a lab, mixing a few simple ingredients together in one pot. Now, zap it with some microwave heat, and voila! You've just made a batch of lactones, including the important chemical γ-valerolactone. This isn't some magical trick, but a clever method using sodium borohydride and micro
Scientists have found a treasure trove of new chemicals in the Euphorbia peplus plant. These chemicals, known as ent-abietane diterpenoid lactones, were separated into a group of eleven never-seen-before ones (1-11) and nine already known ones (12-20). Figuring out their structures and which way the
