Chemical Diversity of Plant Specialized Metabolites: A Biosynthetic Approach

The phytochemical constituents of plants fall into two main categories: primary and secondary. Primary metabolites are involved in basic life functions, while secondary metabolites are derived from subsidiary pathways. Plant specialized metabolites are the main elements in the study and use of medicinal plants and herbs, as well as in nutrition and food chemistry. They provide many of the lead compounds in the production of medicines targeted at treating a broad variety of diseases and play an important role in sessile plants to resist and withstand different biotic and abiotic stresses. This book will present the different classes of plant specialized metabolites, discuss their sources and distribution in plant families, their biosynthetic pathways, and their important and notable uses in phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2023
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

The phytochemical components of plants can be broadly categorized into two primary groups based on their significance in fundamental metabolic processes: primary and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites play a vital role in essential life functions and are conserved across all living cells. On the other hand, secondary metabolites are derived from specialized pathways and exhibit distinct characteristics specific to plant species. While these compounds have historically been referred to as secondary metabolites, recent research has led to their reclassification as "plant specialized metabolites." The precise biochemical boundary between primary and secondary metabolites remains incompletely defined.

Plant specialized metabolites hold immense importance in the field of medicinal plants and herbs, as well as in nutrition and food chemistry. These compounds contribute to the development of medicines aimed at treating a wide range of diseases. Moreover, they play a crucial role in the survival and resilience of sessile plants by providing defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. The classification of plant specialized metabolites is based on their chemical structures, and this book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various classes. It will discuss their origins, distribution within plant families, biosynthetic pathways, and significant applications in phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Chemical Diversity of Plant Specialized Metabolites serves as a valuable resource for chemists, students, and professionals across various disciplines. It will be particularly useful for synthetic organic chemists, medicinal chemists, plant scientists, pharmacognosists, chemical ecologists, bioengineers, and synthetic biologists. Additionally, it will be of interest to those working in related fields such as plant biotechnology and agricultural sciences.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837670451