Tony Swain (chemist)

Tony Swain (1922 – 1990) was a British biochemist and plant chemist known for his significant contributions to the field of plant biochemistry, particularly in the study of phenolic compounds.

Swain received his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1949. His research focused extensively on the identification, characterization, and ecological roles of plant phenolics, including tannins, flavonoids, and lignins. He played a key role in developing chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques for analyzing these complex compounds.

Swain was a pioneer in understanding the importance of plant phenolics in plant-herbivore interactions and plant defense mechanisms. He investigated how these compounds affect the nutritional quality of plants for herbivores and how they influence the palatability of different plant species. His work emphasized the ecological significance of plant chemistry.

Swain held positions at the Low Temperature Research Station, Cambridge, and later at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. He served as the Director of the Biochemical Laboratory at Kew Gardens before his retirement. He authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications throughout his career and edited several important books on plant biochemistry and ecological biochemistry. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. His research laid the groundwork for many subsequent studies on the chemical ecology of plants and the evolution of plant defenses.