Table 3
(continued)
Biosynthetic
pathway
Class of secondary
metabolites
Taxonomic distribution
Example
Effect on animals
2. Indirect negative effect on
fitness
• The release of certain volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) such as
terpenoids can attract natural enemies of
herbivores. Many VOC are released
after wounding by herbivores or egg
deposition [121]
• Both bacterial and fungal pathogens
and phytophagous insects have been
implicated in the modulation of
cannabinoid biosynthesis in cannabis.
[72]
Steroid and
ispoprenoid
• Widely distributed in angiosperms,
steroids commonly found in
Caryophyllaceae, Leguminosaceae,
Sapindaceae, Liliaceae, and
Dioscoreaceae [68, 77]
Gossypol [in Gossypium sp.]
1. Toxic/deterrent effect
• Inhibits enzymatic activity [31, 43]
• Reduces survival of the corn
earworm larvae (Helicoverpa zea),
cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii), lygus
bugs (Lygus hesperus), salt-marsh
caterpillars (Estigmene acrea), and
turberia weevils (Anthonomus grandis
thurberia), among others. [25, 157]
64
E. Kariñho-Betancourt