Groups And Function Of Secondary Metabolites

Introduction
Plants

have number of mechanism to protect itself from herbivorous and pathogens. Secondary metabolites are one of the mechanism.

Secondary Metabolites
Secondary

metabolites are organic compound that have no significant role in plants growth and development. It protect plants from herbivorous and pathogens. These are the species specific.

Groups of secondary Metabolites

There

are generally three major classes of secondary metabolites1.Terpenes 2.Phenolics 3.Nitrogen containing compound

Terpens / Terpenoids
Terpenes

are largest class of secondary metabolites. Terpenes are Insoluble in water. Terpenes are occasionally referred as isoprenoids.

 Terpenes

are derived from the five carbon compounds known as the Isoprene units.

The

Isoprene is the basic structural unit of the terpenes.

1. 2.

Terpens are biosynthesized byMevalonic acid 3 PGA / Pyruvate pathway

Classification of terpenes
On the basis of five carbon units they contain terpens are classified as Monoterpenes (10 C, two C5 unit) Sesquiterpenes (15 C, three C5 units) Diterpenes (20 C, four C5 units) Triterpenes (30 C, six C5 units Tetraterpenes (40 C, eight C5 units) Polyterpenes ({C5}n)
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Function of terpenes
Monoterpenes:
It

act as insecticide agent, accumulate in resin duct(in needle, twig, trunk) and make it toxic. Essential oil having mixture of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes give odor to the foliage.
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 Essential

oil act as insect repellent. Ex. Menthol of peppermint oil, limonene of lemon oil. It was observed that in some plant it is produced after the insect have begun feeding. This attract the predatory, parasitic insect that eat them.
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 Sesquiterpenes:
These

are antiherbivore in nature. Gossypol(sesquiterpenes of cotton) provide resistance to insects. Diterpenes: are toxic and feeding deterrent to herbivore.
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 Plant

resin contain significant amount of Diterpenes that outflow on piercing the plant trunk by insect or predator and chemically deter them to eat further. Phorbol(in euphobiaceae) cause skin irritation and internal toxin to mammal.
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 Triterpenes:

Contains

steroid and many more variety. These are in important content of plasma membrane. Sterols decrease permeability of membrane to small molecule. Some steroids are defensive secondary product.
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Phenolic Compound
Phenolics

are characterised by the presence of the 6 membered benzene ring along with the alcohol (-OH). Phenolic compounds are chemically heterogenous groups. Some are water soluble and some are soluble in organic solvents.
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 Two

basic pathways of phenolics synthesis are Shikhimic acid pathway (in plants , fungi and bacteria) Malonic acid pathway (in fungi and bacteria)

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Classification of Phenolics
Simple

phenolic compound On the basis of their structure1. Simple phenylpropanoid 2. Phenylpropanoid lactones 3. Benzoic derivatives phenolic compound

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 Complex

phenolic compound ex. Lignin, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins

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Lignin
Highly

branched phenylpropanoid compound. The lignin is generally bound covalently to the polysaccharide and the cellulose.

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 Thus

difficult to isolate & so structure not been correctly elucidated. Made up of three phenylpropanoid phenols. -Coniferyl -Coumaryl -Sinapyl
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 These

components are added enzymatically that involves the use of the free radicals. Structural analysis generally showed the C-O-C, C-C bonding in the three dimensional orientation.

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 Lignin

works as a protective agent in plant by1. Providing the physical strength that repels the herb feeder. 2. By binding to the protein and cellulose and so reducing their digestibility in their feeders. 3. By accumulating at the site of wounding and infection.

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Flavonoids
The

largest class of the phenolics. The structure generally consists of the 15 carbons. Out of which 12 present as the two benzene ring and the rest three are present as the bridge carbons.

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Flavonoids Groups
Generally

there are four major classes of the flavonoids1.Anthocynin 2.Flavones 3.Flavonols 4.Isoflavones

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N-containing compound
Nitrogen

containing compound include antiherbivore defenses like alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides. N-containing compound are synthesized from common amino acid. Examples- alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates and non protein amino acid.
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Function of phenolics
Simple

phenolics protect plant against herbivore and fungi. Furanocoumarins is activated by light. Activate Furanocoumarins insert itself into DNA and bind to pyrimidine ring, block transcription and repair and lead to death of insect. This mechanism is known as Photo toxicity.
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 There

are certain simple phenolics which on release from leaves, roots and decaying litter affect neighbouring plants. Ex. Caffeic acid and ferulic acid inhibit growth and germination of many plants Allelopathy: investigation of effect of these phenolic on neighbouring plant.
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Alkaloids
Alkaloids

are found in species of vascular plants. Alkaloids have a pharmacological effect on vertebrate animals. Several type of alkaloids are derived from ornithine. Alkaloids provide defense against predators(generally mammals)
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 At

lower dose these compounds are pharmacologically useful but high dose of alkaloid lead to death in humans. ex.-morphine, cocaine, nicotine, caffeine On cellular level many alkaloid interfere with components of nervous system.
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Cyanogenic glycosides
These

compound itself are not toxic but readily broken down to give off toxic substances when the plant is crushed. Cyanogenic glycosides release HCN. These are widely distributed in plants like legumes, grasses, rose family.
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 Have

protective function in certain plant however some herbivore have adapted to feed on these glycosides.

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Glucosinolates
Glucosinolates

breakdown to release volatile defensive substances. These are found principally in crucifers.

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