J.W. Mitchell, N.B. Mandava and others' 1970 publication in Nature, "Brassins-A New Family of Plant Hormones from Rape Pollen" announced the discovery of a new plant hormone, brassinolide, which would also mark the sixth and newest group of plant hormones, brassinosteroids. This monograph details the early research leading to the isolation and synthesis of the first brassinosteroid to current research in the field. The 50 years of brassinosteroid research can be separated in two parts, The first 25 years saw the innovation of different bioassays and isolation techniques while the last 25 years saw the investigation into brassinosteroids signaling, cross talk, stress response, and agricultural application. Since the discovery of brassinolide, there have now been 62 brassinosteroids identified through international research efforts. Several of these have been targeted for agricultural use with patents in many countries. Homobrassinolide is one such brassinosteroid that helps improve crop yield and fruit sweetness while conferring stress resistance. This monograph is the first to fully encompass the story of brassinosteroids.


Progress in the First 25 Years
Discovery of Brassins 1970 - Mitchell, Mandava, and others (Nature article)
Screening of Various Kinds of Pollen
Brassins - Field trials in Brazil and the USA
Discovery of Brassinolide
Detection of active ingredient by Bean Second-Internode Bioassay
Isolation from Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Pollen


Development of Laboratory Scale Purification Method
Pilot-Plant Extraction of Pollen
Identification of Brassinolide
Synthesis of Brassinolide
Structure-Activity of Brassinolide Analogs
Synthesis of Brassinolide from sterol isolated from oysters
Other Synthetic Methods for Brassinolide
Development of Other Bioassays -
Screening of Brassinosteroids using Various Bioassays
Development of Sensitive Analytical Methods for Detection of Brassinosteroids


Isolation of Other Brassinosteroids from Various Plant Sources
Synthesis of Other Brassinosteroids
Selection of three Brassinosteroids based on Bioassays
Metabolism of Brassinosteroids
Biosynthesis of Brassinosteroids


Progress in the Second 25 Years
Brassinosteroid Signaling
Brassinosteroid Crosstalk
Physiological Responses
Senescence
Stress Responses
Pathogen Attack
Gene Regulation
Signal Transduction
Metabolism of Brassinosteroids (cont.)
Brassinosteroid Bio efficacy
Agricultural Uses
Mode of Action and Economic Benefits
Field Trials