Plant Secondary Metabolites: Sources and Applications

This book explores the pharmacological potentials of various classes of plant secondary metabolites. The initial chapter introduces the chemical diversity, biosynthesis pathways, and ecological functions of plant secondary metabolites. It discusses the pivotal role of transcription factors in regulating their production. Furthermore, the book examines the specific classes of secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, and anthocyanins, highlighting their properties and various applications across the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. This book delves into emerging areas such as plant metabolites as nutraceuticals, the utilization of horticultural and vegetable crops for secondary metabolite production, and the exploration of staple crops for health improvements. The chapters discuss the applications of fungal endosymbionts and algal sources in shaping plant metabolite compositions. The chapters further review innovative techniques, such as hairy root engineering and recombinant systems, for enhancing metabolite production. The book concludes with a detailed overview of methods for isolating and identifying secondary metabolites. This book is an essential resource for students, researchers, and professionals of ethnopharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, botany, and biomedical sciences.