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(a) On the basis of natural source, it can be classified as the products obtained from
plants, animals, minerals, or microbial sources. This classification can be
referred to as Traditional Nutraceuticals.
(b) Nutraceuticals as prepared via biotechnology: this classification can be referred
to as Non-Traditional Nutraceuticals.
2.2.3.1 Traditional Nutraceuticals
They are natural products with no changes to the food. They contain numerous natural components that convey benefits beyond basic nutrition, like omega-3 fatty acids
in salmon, saponins in soy or lycopene in tomatoes. The traditional nutraceuticals
can be divided on the basis of:
(a) Chemical Constituents.
(i) Nutrients.
(ii) Herbals.
(iii) Phytochemicals.
(b) Nutraceutical Enzymes.
(i) Chemical Constituents.
(c) Probiotic Microorganisms.
Nutrients The nutrients include amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins
with recognized nutritional functions. Most foods contain vitamins that aid in curing diseases like stroke, cataracts, osteoporosis and heart diseases. Minerals found
in plants, animals and dairy products are useful in osteoporosis, anemia and in
building strong bones, teeth, muscles, and improve nerve impulses and heart rhythm.
Foods that contain fatty acids like omega-3 PUFAs are potent regulators of the
inflammatory processes, maintenance of brain function and reduction in cholesterol
deposition (Chauhan et al. 2013).
Herbals Herbal nutraceuticals help to improve health and avert chronic diseases.
Most of these are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antipyretic and antiarthritic. Some of the herbals contain flavonoids like apiol, psoralen that are diuretic,
carminative and antipyretic. Peppermint (Menthapiperita) contains menthol as an
active component that help cure cold and flu (Ehrlich 2009). Some of the plants
contain tannin which is claimed to aid in the management of depression, cold,
stress, cough, hypertension and asthma while proanthocyanadin found in some
herbals are useful in the treatment or prevention of cancer, ulcers and urinary tract
infections (Chauhan et al. 2013).
Phytochemicals Phytochemicals are plant nutrients with particular biological
activities that promote human health (Zhao 2007). They are also referred to as
Phytonutrients. They work by serving as substrate for biochemical reactions,
O. K. Nwosu and K. I. Ubaoji
(a) On the basis of natural source, it can be classified as the products obtained from
plants, animals, minerals, or microbial sources. This classification can be
referred to as Traditional Nutraceuticals.
(b) Nutraceuticals as prepared via biotechnology: this classification can be referred
to as Non-Traditional Nutraceuticals.
2.2.3.1 Traditional Nutraceuticals
They are natural products with no changes to the food. They contain numerous natural components that convey benefits beyond basic nutrition, like omega-3 fatty acids
in salmon, saponins in soy or lycopene in tomatoes. The traditional nutraceuticals
can be divided on the basis of:
(a) Chemical Constituents.
(i) Nutrients.
(ii) Herbals.
(iii) Phytochemicals.
(b) Nutraceutical Enzymes.
(i) Chemical Constituents.
(c) Probiotic Microorganisms.
Nutrients The nutrients include amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins
with recognized nutritional functions. Most foods contain vitamins that aid in curing diseases like stroke, cataracts, osteoporosis and heart diseases. Minerals found
in plants, animals and dairy products are useful in osteoporosis, anemia and in
building strong bones, teeth, muscles, and improve nerve impulses and heart rhythm.
Foods that contain fatty acids like omega-3 PUFAs are potent regulators of the
inflammatory processes, maintenance of brain function and reduction in cholesterol
deposition (Chauhan et al. 2013).
Herbals Herbal nutraceuticals help to improve health and avert chronic diseases.
Most of these are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antipyretic and antiarthritic. Some of the herbals contain flavonoids like apiol, psoralen that are diuretic,
carminative and antipyretic. Peppermint (Menthapiperita) contains menthol as an
active component that help cure cold and flu (Ehrlich 2009). Some of the plants
contain tannin which is claimed to aid in the management of depression, cold,
stress, cough, hypertension and asthma while proanthocyanadin found in some
herbals are useful in the treatment or prevention of cancer, ulcers and urinary tract
infections (Chauhan et al. 2013).
Phytochemicals Phytochemicals are plant nutrients with particular biological
activities that promote human health (Zhao 2007). They are also referred to as
Phytonutrients. They work by serving as substrate for biochemical reactions,
O. K. Nwosu and K. I. Ubaoji