Zusammen

Today's stop on our continuing tour of free chemistry databases and services takes us to Pherobase, a comprehensive database of peer-reviewed research relating to insects, plants, and pheromones. From the about page:

Currently, there are over 30000 entries, around 8000 molecules, and over 100000 static php pages that make it [Pherobase] the world's largest database of behaviour modifying chemicals. In addition, mass spectral, NMR, synthesis data for more than 2500 compounds are included. We are working very hard to make The Pherobase comprehensive, reliable and as complete as possible.

Pherobase was created by Ashraf M. El-Sayed from Hort Research and is supported by ISCA Technologies, developer of "environmentally friendly, natural and pheromone based tools and solutions for agricultural and urban applications," among others. Pherobase is an important example of the beneficial role the Web can play as a medium when a business need is closely aligned with the needs of a scientific community.

Pherobase offers a number of ways to explore the relationships between signaling molecules, plants, and insects. For example, we can discover the pheromones used by a particular insect genus. Or we can browse the molecules produced by various plants by functional group. Care to find out how the insect world uses hexanal? That's also possible. If we wanted to browse a list of semiochemicals useful in trapping insects, we could do that as well.

Pherobase's compound records contain chemical structures, both in 2D and 3D format, as well as links connecting molecules with the plants and animals using them. Although the site's documentation refers to mass spectral and NMR data, I was unable to find any in the records I viewed.

Pherobase also contains links to the primary literature, an extremely important feature that provides a jumping off point for those interested in further exploration.

More information on using Pherobase can be found in the online guide.

In summary, Pherobase is an excellent example of a comprehensive resource designed to serve a very specific audience, while being useful to anyone interested in the relationship between chemistry, plants, and insects.

Kudos

• Focussed, comprehensive treatment of a specific area of practical chemistry.
• Links to the primary literature.
• Many fascinating views of the data.
• Good use of both 2D and 3D chemical structures.
• Online guide.

Ideas for Improvement

• Opportunities for community involvement (e.g., "Discuss this compound" and "Edit this page") are hidden behind login dialogs with no clear instructions on how to register.
• Navigation is challenging in some cases. For example, header navigation including the links "Plants", "Insects", and "Compounds", and "Home" would be an easy fix.
• Exact- and substructure search.
• Links to Wikipedia (currently outside links point to Google keyword searches).