1
I
Basics and History of
Plant Secondary
Metabolites
This part will give a broad overview over the different classes of secondary metabolites that are produced by various plants without giving
detailed information about the classification or the biosynthetic pathways of the compounds. The chapter will also explore the general roles
that secondary metabolites play in plants such as attraction and deterrence of animals, protection against bacteria and fungi or even allopathy. However, the intrinsic role of most plant-derived drugs is probably
the least understood aspect of plant secondary metabolism. This lack of
knowledge notwithstanding usage of plants secondary metabolites has
a long history. Plant- derived compounds have been exploited in
traditional medicine but also as recreational drugs or poisons. So finally,
this chapter will look into the history of using and analysing secondary
metabolites from the beginning of mankind into modern times with
some outlook into future directions of research in this field of plant
metabolism that gains more and more interest.
Contents
Chapter 1
Plant Secondary Metabolites and Their General
Function in Plants – 3
Chapter 2
Historical and Current Perspective – 19