Asparagusic acid: Chemistry in its element
Does asparagus give you foul-smelling urine? Helen Arney investigates asparagusic acid, and the lavatorial genetic lottery that controls whether or not you can smell its distinctive aroma
5 Marras 20207min
Glycyrrhizic acid: Chemistry in its element
A sweet treat with a deadly trick for Halloween – glycyrrhizic acid, or glycyrrhizin, is found in black liquorice and sweeter than sucrose, but can cause heart problems and even prove fatal if consume...
30 Loka 20206min
Propofol: Chemistry in its element
Also known as 'milk of amnesia', propofol helps to prevent perception of pain in surgery – just don't forget its dangerous side
23 Loka 20206min
Sofosbuvir: Chemistry in its element
Hepatitis C drug sofosbuvir made waves when first launched – quicker to work and with fewer side effects than existing drugs, but it came with a hefty price tag
16 Loka 20206min
Bedaquiline: Chemistry in its element
Meera Senthilingam makes a welcome return to the podcast with a drug that gives hope to the many sufferers of drug-resistant TB – still one of the world's biggest killers
9 Loka 20209min
Oxybenzone: Chemistry in its element
This summer's extreme weather prompts Katrina Krämer to investigate the history of sunblock and the ingredient blamed by some for bleaching coral reefs
2 Loka 202012min
Gypsum: Chemistry in its element
From Lavoisier's experiments with plaster of paris to the the 'Sistine Chapel of crystals' in Mexico, Mike Freemantle explores the history of gypsum
7 Elo 20208min
Favipiravir: Chemistry in its element
Originally developed to treat flu and marketed in Japan as Avigan, promising Covid-19 trial results have seen countries stockpiling this medication by the millions
2 Elo 20207min
