Glossary

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Plant secondary metabolites

Chemical compounds produced by plants in specific cells

Plant secondary metabolites are a large group of different chemical compounds which often perform vital functions in the plant. For example, some of them protect the plant against pest infestation, grazing damage, UV radiation, or attract pollinating insects.

Plant secondary metabolites were once thought to have no effect on the nutritional value of a plant, but the health benefits of some plant secondary metabolites in plant foods have now been recognized. Some, for example, have an antioxidant or antibacterial effect, some are thought to protect against certain types of cancer, whilst others may boost the immune system.

Nutritionists and plant breeders are now turning their attention to some groups of plant secondary metabolites such as carotenoids and flavonoids, which occur as pigments in many plants.

Carotenoids in particular are often used as additives in food and fodder as well as in the cosmetic industry. They are obtained from plants or by chemical synthesis or fermentation (produced by micro-organisms).

Plant researchers are looking at ways of increasing production of specific plant secondary metabolites in genetically modified agricultural crops.