How were soybeans used to change medicine?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
January 22, 2002
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Shop the National Geographic Store.
All purchases support research and education—>Click here.
Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Non-Stop Sunny Perennial Garden—>Click here.
Meerkat Gang Sculpture, King of Beasts Lion Sculpture—>Click here.
Giant Foo Dog of the Forbidden City, Village Garden Well—>Click here.
Pedestal Wall Fountain, St. Francis Garden Sculpture, Benson Manor Bench—>Click here.
In 1929, a 30-year-old associate professor of chemistry, Percy Julian, was finally granted a Fellowship and left the U.S. to attain his PhD in Vienna. Julian focused on organic chemistry and earned his doctorate in two years. While in Vienna, he became fascinated with
the chemistry of soybeans (Glycine max).
Soybeans had been introduced to rebuild the soil fertility depleted by years of over-cropping cotton in the southern states. Other than cattle fodder, the plants were of little use in the early 1900s. (See Plants that Changed History, October 2, 2001)
In late 1935, Dr. Julian went to work as the chief chemist and director of the Soya Products Division of the Glidden Company. Continuing his work with oil derived from soybeans, he created new compounds for paints and varnishes. He discovered that a soy derivative could smother gasoline and oil fires. Julian's "Aerofoam" was used on the U.S. Navy's ships throughout World War II.
During the war years, Julian kept at his study of soybean derivatives. Hormone therapy for humans was in its infancy. Since the hormones had to be extracted from cadavers, only the wealthy could afford the treatments.
Dr. Julian realized the sterols (solid alcohol compounds) from soybeans could be manipulated into human hormones. He synthesized testosterone and progesterone; the treatments to prevent miscarriages and to fight cancer came within
the price range of most people.
At Mayo Clinic, cortisone had been shown an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. It was extracted from the adrenal glands of oxen and priced at over a hundred dollar per drop. Dr. Julian synthesized cortisone from soy proteins. The price of cortisone dropped to pennies. It came into general medical use for everything from the reduction of joint inflammation to topical ointments for skin rashes.
The Chemical Achievers, has posted photographs and a brief history of Dr. Percy Lavon Julian.
To view the photograph and to read more, click on the link:
http://www.chemheritage.org/classroom/chemach/pharmaceuticals/julian-djerassi.html
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
What Chinese plant gives us so much more than just food? Plants that Changed History - 10/02/01
Genetically Modified Organisms The Potting Bench - July 16, 2001
What is the smallest flowering plant? Weird Plants - January 3, 2002
What is the mystery of the soybean? Weird Plants - October 4, 2001
Killer Savings Links:
Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
Unique Professionally Designed Gardens
Springhill Nursery®
Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you.
Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!
|
|
Larger Picture
|
|
The Meerkat Gang Sculpture
Design Toscano®
Our Meerkat Statues are a great way to have meerkats without a garden full of meerkat holes! Our Meerkat Statues are authentically sculpted at over two feet tall from the meerkats' characteristic sentry stance to their long thin tails. Our charming Meerkat Statues are sure to get a double-take from visitors to your home or garden! Cast in quality designer resin and hand-painted one piece at a time to replicate the meerkats' fawn-hued fur and black patches on eyes, ears and paws.
11''Wx11½''Dx26''H. 10 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
King of Beasts Lion Sculpture
Design Toscano®
Our regal lion with wind-blown mane will proclaim that your home is truly your castle! The artist has sculpted the animal king at over two feet high from his serene gaze to oversized paws, then cast him in quality designer resin and hand-painted him with realism. Whether you admire this statement piece for his natural beauty or his stately bearing, our King of Beasts will lend a crowning touch to home or garden.
13½''Wx21''Dx27''H. 15 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Giant Foo Dog of the Forbidden City Sculpture
Design Toscano®
Guardian of the centuries, symbol of energy and strength.
This traditional Asian symbol will protect the entry to your home. Like the ancient guardians who’ve watched over religious sites for centuries, our substantially sized Foo Dog bears a fierce expression and traditional power orb while set atop an ornamental plinth. We’ve cast our exclusive in 28 lbs. of weather-resistant, designer resin to replicate its hand-carved stone forebears.
12½"Wx21"Dx30"H. 28 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Village Square Architectural Garden Well
Design Toscano®
A stunning architectural feature, this striking investment in European garden style instantly creates a timelessly romantic landscape. Replicated from a village well in a small Northern Italian square, the ornate black wrought iron with aged rust patina recalls a rich, centuries-old European tradition. The heavyweight hexagonal base is finely sculpted, then cast in quality designer resin with a durable, faux stone finish. Guests will admire your garden creativity when you choose this work of decorative art available only from Design Toscano. Arrives in 3 pieces for easy assembly.
28½''dia.x80''H. 98 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
The Capri Pedestal Wall Fountain
Design Toscano®
At just over a yard tall, this superbly sculpted, Italian-style wall fountain is an effortless way to add soothing water music to home or garden. A calming focal point, it is reminiscent of European plaza architecture with stylized acanthus and shell foliate elements surrounding the fully functional, two tier font and decorative metal spigot. Our exclusive, designer resin work of architectural art boasts an adjustable water flow and an indoor/outdoor, UL-listed pump. Assembly required.
23½''Wx14½''Dx37½''H. 42 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
In Nature's Sanctuary St. Francis Garden Sculpture
Design Toscano®
Our incredible garden focal point will leave your guests in awe! St. Francis rises over three feet high on his generous, four-foot-long log perch. This Italian patron saint of nature reaches toward the gentle lamb at his feet, showcasing amazing detail from the folds of his garment to his benevolent expression. The artist captures intricacies sometimes lost in sculpts this grand in scale, casting our Toscano exclusive in quality designer resin as an heirloom for decades to come.
48½''Wx26''Dx37½''H. 156 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Benson Manor Authentic Foundry Iron Hardwood Bench
Design Toscano®
Creates substantial Olde World style and becomes a garden heirloom
This high-quality foundry iron casting is fraught with detail, paying homage to those seen in English parks and homes of stature. Our wide-seated, solid hardwood bench boasts durable slats, ornamental arms and a relaxing, angled back for comfort in garden or terrace. Weighing more than 150 lbs., this heavyweight piece causes its lightweight aluminum, local garden shop cousins to pale in comparison and lets your neighbors know you take the exterior of your home as seriously as the interior.
46''Wx31''Dx28''H. 150 lbs.
Click here.
|
Non-Stop Sunny Perennial Garden
Springhill Nursery®
|
|
|
Non-Stop Sunny Perennial Garden is a special money-saving opportunity to acquire 10 sun-loving perennials. All are the finest quality plants specially selected for guaranteed growth.
Receive three each of the following:
Double Hollyhock Mix
Mixed Delphinium
Fire King Achillea
Pink Mist Scabiosa
Little Miss Muffet Daisy
Dwarf Gaillardia
Black Eyed Susan
Butterfly Blue Scabiosa
Brilliant Miniature Hollyhock
Summer Sun Heliopsis
One garden includes 30 plants!
|
|
Non-Stop Sunny Perennial Garden Ships In The Fall
Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
This collection includes:
- Double Hollyhock Mix (3), Time-honored favorite blooms daily in mid-summer with lovely 2-4'' puffs of color on 5-7' stalks.
- Mixed Delphinium (3), These colorful 4-6' spires are smothered with 2-3" double florets in rich pastel hues.
- Fire King Achillea (3), Unusual yarrow is a virtually foolproof perennial. Excellent for bouquets and dried arrangements!
- Pink Mist Scabiosa (3), Attract butterflies and hummingbirds with these fragrant pink flowers. Super hardy, low maintenance.
- Little Miss Muffet Daisy (3), These dainty white and yellow blooms are a favorite perennial of American gardeners.
- Dwarf Gaillardia (3), Showy plant gives a riotous display of color from late spring until frost stops its color dance.
- Black Eyed Susan Daisy (3), These are one of the few perennials to remain in bloom until frost. Hardy, easily grown plants multiplies fast.
- Butterfly Blue Scabiosa (3), Lavender-blue flowers with pincushion-like centers bloom in the spring and continue all summer into fall.
- Brilliant Miniature Hollyhock (3), Charming mini hollyhocks need no staking! Dainty, rose-red flowers cover the sturdy 30-32'' stems for 2 to 3 months.
- Summer Sun Heliopsis (3), Perfect in borders and delightful in dried bouquets. Showy, disease free!
|
| |
killerplants Recommended Smart Stores
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 BACK TO TOP
|
|
