Phenolic compounds have attracted the attention of those interested in
plant constituents for over 200 years. First as dyestuffs, meaicinals
and tannins and, much later, because of their potential use in examining
the systematic and evolutionary relationships of plants, and their
impli- cation in defence against both herbivores and phytopatho- gens.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the first formally organised
Society of Phytochemists, the Plant Phenolics group which was
established in England in 1958, should have devoted themselves to an
intensive study of these compounds. They were quickly followed by a like
group in North America. But, by the mid-1960's, it was obvious to the
members of both societies that their net was spread wider than just
phenolic compounds and in 1965 both adopted a more appropriate name, The
Phytochemical Society (now Phytochemical Society of Europe (PSE), and
The Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA) respec- tively). In
spite of this broadening of interest, both socie- ties have continued to
devote a major portion of their deliberations to phenolic compounds and
it is entirely appropriate, therefore, that their first joint Symposium,
held in the late summer of 1977 at the Rijksuniversiteit te Gent,
Belgium, should be concerned with "The Biochem- istry of Plant
Phenolics. " First occasions are often difficult, but the chief
organiser of this Symposium, Professsor Ch is van Sumere, Head of the
Laboratorium voor Plantenbiochemie of the Rijksuniversiteit te Gent with
his charming wife and enthu- siastic staff overcame all obstacles.
