Planta Med 2012; 78 - IL16
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320203

Lloydia and the Journal of Natural Products: 75 years of publication

AD Kinghorn 1, RG Powell 2, D Ferreira 3, PJ Proteau 4, CJ Pearce 5, JH Cardellina II 6
  • 1College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
  • 2National Center for Agricultural Utilization and Research, USDA, Peoria, IL 61604
  • 3School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677
  • 4College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
  • 5Mycosynthetix, Inc., Hillsborough, NC 27278
  • 6Techical Innovation Center, McCormick & Co., Inc., Hunt Valley, MD 21031

In 2012, the Journal of Natural Products has reached a major milestone, through the publication of volume 75. The journal first appeared in 1938 under the title Lloydia, and was published by the Lloyd Library and Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio. The founding Editor of Lloydia was Theodor K. Just, who continued in this position until his death in 1960. The journal became affiliated with the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) in 1961, with Arthur E. Schwarting as Editor. The title was changed to the Journal of Natural Products in 1979, under the editorship of Jack L. Beal. In 1992, while James E. Robbers was Editor, the journal moved to its present monthly publication. Since 1996, with A. Douglas Kinghorn serving as Editor, the journal has been co-published by ASP and the American Chemical Society (ACS). The journal has changed in technical scope substantially since its inception. While originally specializing in mycology, Lloydia began to have a phytochemical focus after its affiliation with ASP. Today, the Journal of Natural Products publishes papers on the biologically active constituents of terrestrial microbes and animals and marine fauna and flora as well as higher plants.

Over the last 16 years, since the co-publication of the Journal of Natural Products by ASP and ACS, many technical changes have occurred, with the most evident being its electronic publication and the web-based submission, peer review, editing, and production processes. The journal publishes contributions from authors in countries all over the world. Since the very successful co-publication arrangement between ASP and ACS, the number of citations per year has increased substantially (16,840 in 2010 vs. 3,634 in 1997), and the ISI Impact Factor has doubled (2.872 in 2010 vs. 1.432 in 1997).

The Editors of the Journal of Natural Products are pleased and privileged to have organized this special symposium to celebrate the 75th volume of Lloydia/Journal of Natural Products. Three speakers have been selected who have provided sustained support of the journal as an author, reviewer, editorial advisory board member, and/or editor, namely, Professors Bob Pettit (Arizona State University), Rachel Mata (National Autonomous University of Mexico), and Bill Gerwick (University of California at San Diego. This symposium is dedicated to our colleague Dr. David J. Slatkin (Chicago State University), who as ASP Treasurer since 1983 has managed meticulously many of the financial and fulfillment aspects for the Journal of Natural Products.