Something you need to know about plants

There are three big groups of secondary metabolites, which are classifieds according to their biosynthetic orogins:

1. Terpenoids: Plant terpenoids are used for their aromatic qualities. Play an important role in the traditional medicine and thera are scientific research about their possible antibacterial effects and other pharmaceutical applications. They are present, for example, in the essences of eucalyptus, the flavors of clove and ginger. Also in the menthol and camphor.

2. Phenols: Flavoniods are a type of phenolic compounds. They are consumed by human to protect it from damage by oxidants such as UV light, air pollution and some chemicals in the food. The human body lacks the ability to synthesize these chemicals, you can get it from the food that you eat.

3. Alkaloids: The biological activity of them is wide, the most studied is the euphoric effect of the cocaine had, although there are others that have effects in the central nervous system such as morphine.

Why plants produce compounds with pharmaceutical activity?

Plants produce a variety of compounds, which are used for reproduction and growth. Moreover, plants produce a variety of substances, products of secondary metabolism, some responsible for the color and aromas of flowers and fruits, others lonked with ecological interactions, such as the attraction of pollinators. Recent studies have demonstrated that most of them are involved in the defense mechanism of plants. These metabolites also called phytochemicals, allows a range of applications in agriculture and medicine. Additionally, the multiple functions that occur in the plant allow the search for new natural chemicals such, insecticides, herbicides, growth regulators.