Primary metabolism governs all basic physiological processes that allow a plant to grow and set seeds, by translating the genetic code into proteins, carbohydrates, and amino acids.
In any case, a good balance between products of primary and secondary metabolism is best for a plant’s optimal growth and development as well as for its effective coping with often changing environmental conditions.
Research into secondary plant metabolism primarily took off in the later half of the 19th century, however, there was still much confusion over what the exact function and usefulness of these compounds were.
The study of plant metabolites is thought to have started in the early 1800s when Friedrich Willhelm Serturner isolated morphine from opium poppy, and after that new discoveries were made rapidly.
In the early half of the 1900s, the main research around secondary plant metabolism was dedicated to the formation of secondary metabolites in plants, and this research was compounded by the use of tracer techniques which made deducing metabolic pathways much easier.
One of the most ground breaking ideas of this time argued that plant secondary metabolites evolved in relation to environmental conditions, and this indicated the high gene plasticity of secondary metabolites, but this theory was ignored for about half a century before gaining acceptance.
Secondary plant metabolites are also used in signalling and regulation of primary metabolic pathways.
[4] Both of the substrates involved in this reaction are derived from amino acids, tropine from pyridine (through several steps) and tropate directly from phenylalanine.
Within Atropa belladonna atropine synthesis has been found to take place primarily in the root of the plant.
As atropine is not a primary metabolite, it does not interact specifically with any part of the organism, allowing it to travel throughout the plant.
In addition, Flavonoids are readily ingested by humans and they seem to display important anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-cancer activities.
Flavonoids are also found to be powerful anti-oxidants and researchers are looking into their ability to prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Flavonoids help prevent cancer by inducing certain mechanisms that may help to kill cancer cells, and researches believe that when the body processes extra flavonoid compounds, it triggers specific enzymes that fight carcinogens.
Flavonoids are synthesized by the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway where the amino acid phenylalanine is used to produce 4-coumaryol-CoA, and this is then combined with malonyl-CoA to produce chalcones which are backbones of Flavonoids[6] Chalcones are aromatic ketones with two phenyl rings that are important in many biological compounds.
[7] An important antiparasitic action is caused by the block of the transport of iodide of animal cells inhibiting sodium-iodide symporter (NIS).
Its structure allows the release of cyanide, a poison produced by certain bacteria, fungi, and algae that is found in numerous plants.
Past research suggests that cyanogenic glucosides stored in the seed of the plant are metabolized during germination to release nitrogen for seedling to grow.
Though subject to change with future research, there is no evidence showing that cyanogenic glycosides are responsible for infections in plants.
In preparing foods with high phytic acid concentrations, it is recommended they be soaked in after being ground to increase the surface area.
Phytic acid is an antioxidant found in plant cells that most likely serves the purpose of preservation.
This preservation is removed when soaked, reducing the phytic acid and allowing the germination and growth of the seed.
Hypokalemic paralysis associated with gossypol in-take usually occurs in March, when vegetables are in short supply, and in September, when people are sweating a lot.
Estrogen is important for women's bone and heart health, but high amounts of it has been linked to breast cancer.
Carotenoids are formed by a head-to-head condensation of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate or diphosphate (GGPP) and there is no NADPH requirement.