326
serve as protection for plants but are often also very biologically active. Caffeine,
theobromine, theophylline, theine, guarana, capsaicin, piperine, and others are
mostly used in the daily diet (Fig. 11.7). In addition to the nutritional effect on
digestion and the body, alkaloids have a pharmacological effect. They have no
energy value and are metabolized similarly to drugs. Of the alkaloids that have
found their daily use in the diet, the most common are representatives of xanthine
derivatives, capsaicin, piperine, and other alkaloids that are present in foods in small
quantities.
Glycosides Glycosides or heterosides are conjugated organic compounds composed of a sugar glycone and a non-sugar component or aglycone (genin). The most
Fig. 11.7 Structures of pseudoalkaloids
Fig. 11.8 Structures of glycosidic sugars
V. I. Petropulos and B. Balabanova
serve as protection for plants but are often also very biologically active. Caffeine,
theobromine, theophylline, theine, guarana, capsaicin, piperine, and others are
mostly used in the daily diet (Fig. 11.7). In addition to the nutritional effect on
digestion and the body, alkaloids have a pharmacological effect. They have no
energy value and are metabolized similarly to drugs. Of the alkaloids that have
found their daily use in the diet, the most common are representatives of xanthine
derivatives, capsaicin, piperine, and other alkaloids that are present in foods in small
quantities.
Glycosides Glycosides or heterosides are conjugated organic compounds composed of a sugar glycone and a non-sugar component or aglycone (genin). The most
Fig. 11.7 Structures of pseudoalkaloids
Fig. 11.8 Structures of glycosidic sugars
V. I. Petropulos and B. Balabanova