Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

REASSESS ON PLANT SECONDARY METABOLITES AND THEIR ROLE

Ameeta Sharma, Ankita Saxena, Neha G Batra, Ronak Chetani and P.C. Trivedi

Abstract

Plant produces an astounding miscellany low molecular weight compounds known as secondary metabolites which are organic in nature and are not directly involved in the usual growth and development of an organism. They have created the foundation of classy conventional medicine system that has been in use since ancient times in countries like India and China to treat and cure infections and diseases. This review accentuate the importance of plant secondary metabolites which serve majorly as defense compounds against herbivores, microbes and also exhibits a broad array of biological and pharmacological activities. Most of the secondary metabolites like alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids and terpenoids have a wide gamut of bio activities and they often interact with biochemicals and bio membranes in the target cells producing positive effect. Genetic engineering and Plant tissue culture may play an important role in commercial production of secondary metabolites in plants.