Secondary Plant Metabolism

Life has evolved as a unified system; no organism exists similar role also has been suggested for fatty acids from alone, but each is in intimate contact with other organisms cyanolipids. Nonprotein amino acids, cyanogenic glyco and its environment. Historically, it was easier for workers sides, and the non-fatty-acid portion of cyanolipids also are in various disciplines to delimit artificially their respective incorporated into primary metabolites during germination. areas of research, rather than attempt to understand the entire Secondary metabolites of these structural types are accumu system of living organisms. This was a pragmatic and neces lated in large quantities in the seeds of several plant groups sary way to develop an understanding for the various parts. where they probably fulfill an additional function as deter We are now at a point, however, where we need to investi rents to general predation. gate those things common to the parts and, specifically, those The second type of relationship involves interaction of things that unify the parts. The fundamental aspects of many plants with other organisms and with their environment. Bio of these interactions are chemical in nature. Plants constitute logical interactions must be viewed in the light of evolution an essential part of all life systems; phytochemistry provides ary change and the coadaptation, or perhaps coevolution, of a medium for linking several fields of study.

Plant secondary metabolism is an economically important source of fine chemicals, such as drugs, insecticides, dyes, flavours, and fragrances. Moreover, important traits of plants such as taste, flavour, smell, colour, or resistance against pests and diseases are also related to secondary metabolites. The genetic modification of plants is feasible nowadays. What does the possibility of engineering plant secondary metabolite pathways mean? In this book, firstly a general introduction is given on plant secondary metabolism, followed by an overview of the possible approaches that could be used to alter secondary metabolite pathways. In a series of chapters from various authorities in the field, an overview is given of the state of the art for important groups of secondary metabolites. No books have been published on this topic so far. This book will thus be a unique source of information for all those involved with plants as chemical factories of fine chemicals and those involved with the quality of food and ornamental plants. It will be useful in teaching graduate courses in the field of metabolic engineering in plants.

Plant secondary metabolites have been a fertile area of chemical investigation for many years, driving the development of both analytical chemistry and of new synthetic reactions and methodologies. The subject is multi-disciplinary with chemists, biochemists and plant scientists all contributing to our current understanding. In recent years there has been an upsurge in interest from other disciplines, related to the realisation that secondary metabolites are dietary components that may have a considerable impact on human health, and to the development of gene technology that permits modulation of the contents of desirable and undesirable components. Plant Secondary Metabolites: Occurrence, Structure and Role in the Human Diet addresses this wider interest by covering the main groups of natural products from a chemical and biosynthetic perspective with illustrations of how genetic engineering can be applied to manipulate levels of secondary metabolites of economic value as well as those of potential importance in diet and health. These descriptive chapters are augmented by chapters showing where these products are found in the diet, how they are metabolised and reviewing the evidence for their beneficial bioactivity.

Provides a state-of-the-art review of recent conceptual developments concerning the roles of plant secondary metabolites in the natural environment.

The Biochemistry of Plants: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume 7: Secondary Plant Products focuses on the biochemistry of secondary compounds, including tissue culture and differentiation, complexes, and plant systematics. The selection first elaborates on the physiological roles of secondary natural products, tissue culture and the study of secondary natural products, and turnover and degradation of secondary natural products. Discussions focus on degradative reactions of nitrogenous and phenolic compounds, concept of turnover of secondary products, and plant-vertebrate interactions. The text then elaborates on secondary plant products and cell and tissue differentiation; compartmentation in natural product biosynthesis by multienzyme complexes; and secondary metabolites and plant systematics. The manuscript examines the stereochemical aspects of natural products biosynthesis, nonprotein amino acids, and amines. Topics include tryptamines, phenethylamines, and histamine, nonprotein amino acids as analogues and antimetabolites, chemistry and biogenesis, and nonprotein amino acids as indexes for chemotaxonomy. The book also tackles glycosylation and glycosidases; transmethylation and demethylation reactions in the metabolism of secondary plant products; and oxygenases and the metabolism of plant products. The selection is a vital reference for researchers interested in the biochemistry of secondary compounds.

General aspects. Methods used in the investigation of secondary metabolism. Important groups of secondary metabolic enzymes. Structure, biosynthesis, and metabolism of secondary products in microorganisms, plants, and animals. The significance of secondary metabolism and secondary products for the producer organisms.

The secondary metabolites of plants were once considered to be waste products - today, their true value is understood. New methods of separation and structural elucidation, and advances in the investigation of biochemical activities, have increased our understanding of secondary metabolites. Their function as a defense mechanisms offers a great potential for technological gain. Secondary metabolites can be utilized in agriculture to breed stronger crops and in the manufacture of biorational pesticides. They can also be exploited by medicine as theraputic agents. And these are just two of the likely uses. This landmark volume presents articles by an impressive team of experts from leading laboratories. Each chapter considers a current understanding of secondary metabolites in nature and the potential exploitation of those qualities by the biotechnology industry.